Physical Scientist

CHEManager International; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Energy's Office of Science's BES ECMP program seeks a Program Manager to advise leadership on scientific focus and direction, considering emerging research needs and DOE mission priorities.

You will oversee the competitive funding process, manage budgets, and foster partnerships across DOE, national laboratories, academia, and industry, communicating program outcomes to leadership and national/international forums.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14 required.
• Experience managing or directing scientific programs in physical sciences.
• Experience evaluating proposals, peer reviews, or resource allocations.

Responsibilities

• Direct the scientific scope and strategic direction of basic physical science research programs.
• Administer the competitive funding process, including solicitations, merit peer reviews, and award recommendations.
• Oversee program budgets, resource allocations, and scientific progress for fiscal integrity and compliance.
• Foster partnerships with DOE, national labs, academia, and industry through PI meetings and workshops.
• Serve as a liaison to leadership and external scientific communities to communicate outcomes.

Skills

Managing scientific programs

Evaluating proposals

Budget oversight

Education

Physical science degree with 24 credit hours in physical science/engineering science

Job description

This position is part of the Office of Science - Headquarters, Department of Energy. As the BES Experimental Condensed Matter Physics (ECMP) Program Manager, you will advise leadership on the scientific focus and research program direction, considering emerging research needs and opportunities for the research program, scientific and technological advances, and the DOE mission areas.

Duties

• Direct the scientific scope and strategic direction of basic physical science research programs to address emerging energy challenges and advance Department mission priorities.
• Administer the competitive research funding process, including proposal solicitations, merit peer reviews, and award recommendations, to ensure technical excellence and sound investment of federal resources.
• Oversee program budgets, resource allocations, and scientific progress to ensure fiscal integrity, milestone achievement, and research compliance.
• Foster partnerships and collaboration across DOE, national laboratories, academia, and industry through principal investigator meetings, strategic workshops, and cross-cutting scientific initiatives.
• Serve as an authoritative technical liaison and advisor to leadership and external scientific communities to communicate program outcomes and represent the agency at national and international forums.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You will be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
• Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below. See the Education section for the Basic Requirement.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-14). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:

• Managing or directing scientific research programs, projects, or portfolios within the physical sciences (such as physics, materials science, or chemistry); AND
• Evaluating scientific proposals, research progress, or peer-review results to recommend funding or resource allocations; AND
• Formulating and monitoring program budgets, spend plans, or resource allocations for scientific research initiatives.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 levels.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible". Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional Information

• Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.
• The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
• Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available.
• EEO Policy: https://www.energy.gov/justice/eeo-complaint-process
• Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.energy.gov/hc/articles/reasonable-accommodation-and-personal-assistance-service-procedure
• Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses
• Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
• The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at [e-mail].
• CTAP/ICTAP Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration.

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.

Benefits

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.

Learn more about federal 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.