CHIEF SCIENTIST/SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR TO AF/SG

About the role

The Chief Scientist/Scientific Advisor to the Air Force (AF) Surgeon General develops healthcare policy and supports medical Research, Development, and Acquisition (RDA).

This scientific/professional (ST), non-managerial role, guides the AF Medical Service's strategic vision for RDA and coordinates research with Department of War (DoW), Defense Health Agency (DHA), DoW, DHA, military departments, government agencies, and other partners to align modernization with capability requirements.

What you will do

• The Chief Scientist and Scientific Advisor to the Air Force Surgeon General (AF/SG) serves as the primary scientific, technical, and acquisition strategy authority for the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS).
• Operating at the nexus of military operational medicine, advanced biomedical technology, interagency health governance, and defense acquisition, the incumbent is charged with informing, integrating, and implementing a comprehensive Defense Health Program (DHP)-funded Research, Development, and Acquisition (RDA) strategy and oversight process.
• The fundamental mandate of this role is to translate evolving operational aerospace and joint warfighter health challenges into actionable, scientifically sound, and fiscally disciplined research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) programs.
• These programs must seamlessly transition knowledge and materiel capabilities into operational Air Force and joint military medical units.
• The position requires a rare combination of executive-level scientific acumen, deep familiarity with the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition ecosystem, and authoritative leadership across complex military and interagency corporate structures.
• The Chief Scientist ensures that every dollar allocated across multiple appropriation streams delivers validated, technologically mature, and doctrinally integrated solutions that maximize airman and guardian survivability, performance, and lethality.

Education

Positions in the GS-0601 series require a bachelor's or higher degree in an academic field related to medical, health, or allied sciences from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

This foundational education ensures candidates possess the scientific knowledge necessary for research, analysis, and healthcare program management.

A doctorate degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) from an accredited university program in an academic field related to the health sciences or allied sciences with emphasis in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics; curricula which included anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, healthcare operations and/or management, and completion of a research thesis is highly desired. *** Program Management Level III certification within 24 months of assignment

How you will be evaluated

Applications will be evaluated against the qualifications requirements. Candidates will be evaluated for this position by a screening panel composed of senior executives and/or general officers selected for organizational and/or functional backgrounds relevant to this position.

The panel will reach consensus on the applications demonstrating a high degree of the technical competencies to select for interviews. Post interview, the panel will make a recommendation of those Best Qualified candidates to refer to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection is contingent on approval by the Under Secretary of the Air Force.

REMINDER: Before uploading your required PDF documents (Resume), please ensure they DO NOT EXCEED the noted 2 page limits.

Documents you must provide

• To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the MANDATORY documents in the format as designated.
• Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration. **************ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED IN PDF FORMAT******************* The Qualifications Documents must be formatted using Times New Roman, size 10 font, with 1-inch margins.
• Do not use borders, provide photos, or list a Social Security Number on any of the Qualifications Documents.
• DO NOT COMBINE DOCUMENTS.
• (Mandatory) Resume in the preferred format (Limit 2 Pages Total).
• PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
• (Optional) Most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, noting your current position, grade level and salary level (applies only to current or former civilian government employee).
• (Optional) Most recent completed Performance Appraisal (current and/or former federal employees).
• (Mandatory) College transcript(s) (copy is acceptable) which demonstrates the acceptable combinations of education and experience as noted by OPM.
• (Optional) Military Retired - a copy of your DD214 and/or Retirement orders; Active Duty - Are you an active duty service member with a statement of service showing that you expect to be honorably discharged or released from the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after submitting your application?
• PLEASE NOTE: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.Documents are required.

What to expect next

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.

Additional information

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is applicable to Air Force Senior Level (SL) positions. Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.