Special Agent: Physical Sciences Background

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 103,236 - 133,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seeks a dedicated special agent to safeguard national security. This role requires a strong foundation in physical sciences and analytical skills to tackle threats such as cyberattacks and terrorism.

As an agent, you'll carry out investigations, form alliances with law enforcement agencies, and face challenges that require adaptability and resilience. A bachelor's degree or higher is essential, along with a commitment to professional growth and public safety.

The position offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Must have a bachelor's degree in physical sciences or a related field from an accredited college.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and meet employment eligibility requirements.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret SCI Clearance is essential.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct investigations of potential federal law violations.
• Exercise judgment and resourcefulness in investigations.
• Maintain physical fitness for law enforcement duties.
• Create and maintain liaison relationships with various agencies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Versatility

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical sciences or related field

Job description

The position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.

As an FBI special agent, your career is defined by how you think, analyze, and act in moments that directly impact national security. By harnessing your background to transition into federal law enforcement, you can help shape the Bureau’s approach to investigate violent crimes. At the FBI, you will have the opportunity to leverage your skills to protect against cyberattacks, terrorism, fraud, and evolving threats. Using your analytical skills, data analysis capabilities, attention to detail, and experience working with complex data, you will identify patterns, uncover critical information, and support investigations that address threats to public safety.

Your transition from a specialized career into the special agent role is designed to expand how your expertise is applied, encouraging you to think critically, and operate across a range of complex scenarios. Every day brings new challenges that demand adaptability and resilience, but you’re not alone on this journey. The Bureau matches your dedication with a commitment to professional growth, competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment that provides the flexibility and resources needed to maintain balance. This is an opportunity to build a career that evolves with you, one where your skills continue to grow as your impact expands. Set yourself apart.

Physical Sciences Background Translates to Special Agent Career

Special is who you are. Agent is what you’ll become.

Your background in physical sciences has already shaped how you think, how you process information, and approach problems. You’ve built a strong foundation in chemistry, laboratory skills, and molecular biology by learning to interpret information, connect details, and make sense of complex situations. This includes experience with laboratory medicine, cell culture, and biochemistry, where focus, adaptability, and sound judgment are required.

At the FBI, that foundation becomes something more. What you’ve learned to recognize as data, patterns, or signals becomes evidence. What you’ve mastered within your field becomes insight. What you’ve supported becomes something you’re trusted to own. This is where your background becomes a starting point, and your career shifts from contributing to the work to determining what happens next.

Salary Level

Pay level for this position:

• $103,236.00 - $133,200.00

Salary is commensurate with base, locality, and availability pay.

Major Duties

• Plan and conduct investigations of potential violations of federal laws, cybersecurity, and public safety.
• Exercise judgment, resourcefulness, and versatility in meeting investigative demands.
• Create and maintain effective liaison relationships with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international law enforcement agencies.
• Maintain a level of physical fitness to ensure the readiness required to perform law enforcement duties.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.
• Must be willing to travel as required.
• Must meet the FBI’s Employment Eligibility requirements.

Education

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or higher (preferably in physical sciences or a related field such as biology, chemistry, or physics) from a U.S. accredited college or university.

All degrees must be verified by submitting college transcripts.

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex, pregnancy and related conditions, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other nonmerit factors.