Summary

Air University's Air Command and Staff College invites applications from qualified individuals for Professor of Military and Security Studies. Candidates will demonstrate competency in the primary field of security studies (or other related disciplines) or data science and an interdisciplinary skill set suitable for professional military education. Expertise in subfields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, emerging technologies, or research and development are preferred.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

The Air Command and Staff College provides a dynamic and evolving academic environment for teaching and research. Students in residence at ACSC are mid-career military officers and civil servants preparing to assume increased operational and strategic responsibilities across the world. Primary instructor responsibilities will include teaching, developing curriculum, and developing interdisciplinary expertise, to include knowledge of warfighting strategy and operations; teaching electives in the applicant's area(s) of specialization; grading student work; advising student research; conducting research and outreach of value to the airpower and security communities of interest; and service to the institution. Teaching duties approximate at 2/2 teaching load per academic year. Seminar size is approximately 12-14 students.

The Air Command and Staff College contains a multi-disciplined faculty of security studies experts engaged in rigorous research on critical issues in contemporary security debates. It is a leading contributor of national security and airpower thought across the U.S. Government, and highly encourages policy-relevant scholarship from its faculty. Candidates will be expected to: engage in professional research and writing in areas of expertise and/or areas of governmental need; integrate research into graduate-level curriculum; actively seek publication of book manuscripts as well as scholarly works such as articles, monographs, and book reviews for publication in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, professional journals, and other outlets; and present results of research at appropriate conferences and symposia. Service responsibilities include: course leadership and curriculum development; committee assignment to fill departmental and institutional needs; and service as a subject matter expert to ACSC, Air University, the U.S. Air Force, and the Department of War on topics related to the applicant's area(s) of expertise.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship Required
Must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guide
A top-secret security clearance is required.
You may qualify for moving expenses, if authorized, it may be covered using PCS, Recruitment or Relocation Incentive in accordance with agency policy.
Position is subject to random drug testing.
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. This is an Administratively Determined position in the excepted service.
Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Incumbent may be required to travel by commercial or military conveyance to perform temporary duty.

Qualifications

Successful applicants will be mission-motivated, with a growth mindset and willingness to broaden their academic skillset, and be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge of educational requirements, instructional methods, evaluation methods and procedures, and multidisciplinary teaching.
Knowledge of contemporary debates within security studies and their relevance to airpower employment, warfighting, and force development.
Knowledge of a variety of research methods, ability to conduct and lead research, and ability to demonstrate its relevance to contemporary National Security issues.
Ability to effectively lead a team to design, develop, execute, and evaluate course material aligned with program outcomes.
Ability to develop curriculum and present the material to senior leadership.
Flexibility in employing a variety of instructional modalities and in teaching across disciplines.
Skill in written and oral communication to brief and/or lecture a wide variety of civilian and military audiences to include Air Force and DoW Agencies.

Education

A PhD is required and significant professional experience in a field pertinent to professional military education.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit official transcriptswith the application. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

The position will be an initial three-year appointment with the potential for continued reappointment for additional 1-5-year terms. This position is subject to Air University's tenure and promotion policy; this position is tenure-track eligible.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated in the "Highly Qualified" or "Best Qualified" Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Starting September 27, 2025, USAJOBS began restricting all resumes to two pages in length. The restriction does NOT apply to this position. Please upload your Resume/Curriculum Vitae using the Other Documents (3) - Curriculum Vitae option. You are still required to provide a document in the Resume section to successfully submit your application. In the Resume section, please upload a document informing your Resume/Curriculum Vitae was submitted using Other Documents.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application for this Public Notice: Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

Cover letter, which should address your qualifications for the position described above.
Digital Education Statement: Applicants will submit a statement describing their approaches to integrating digital education into teaching, scholarship, life experiences and/or service. The statement needs to highlight examples of leveraging technology to enhance learning, promote innovation, or advance digital literacy in an academic setting. Applicants are encouraged to address the use of emerging technologies, such as AI or data analytics, and their potential contributions to Air University's mission of preparing students, faculty, and staff for a rapidly evolving digital environment.
Curriculum vitae (CV) or academic resume.
Official transcripts must be scanned and submitted for graduate degrees at the time of application. If an official transcript is not yet available due ONLY to a recent graduation, a letter of degree completion provided by the university awarding the degree will suffice. However, if selected, you will be required to provide original copies of official transcripts.
Separate List of Professional References: Names and contact information for three individuals who can speak to your accomplishments, work ethic, and character. These individuals should have no stake in the outcome of this search.
Veterans: If claiming VRA, VEOA or Veterans' Preference - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service/type under honorable conditions (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214. If you are also claiming 10-point preference and/or 30% Disabled Veteran, you must submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces (or documentation of Purple Heart, if applicable).
Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
Branch of Armed Forces
Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/21/2026

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12897833

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume/ Curriculum Vitae

If you submit more than one Resume/Curriculum Vitae, only the most recent (latest) will be reviewed to determine your qualifications. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp.
For qualification determination your Resume/Curriculum Vitae must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your Resume/Curriculum Vitae does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume.

2. A complete Application Questionnaire

3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Guy Meyer

Phone: 334-953- 7041
Email: guy.meyer.2@us.af.mil

Address: AETC Maxwell Faculty
50 Lemay Plaza South
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112
US

Next steps

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.

PROFESSOR OF MILITARY AND SECURITY STUDIES Job in Maxwell AFB, AL