Special Agent: Physical Sciences Background

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 103,236 - 133,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Competitive compensation

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking a special agent to address national security threats. The role utilizes analytical skills, backgrounds in physical sciences, and the ability to adapt in complex scenarios. Responsibilities include planning investigations, collaborating with law enforcement, and maintaining fitness for duty. Competitive compensation and benefits are offered, supporting professional growth and work-life balance.

Interested candidates must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and must meet various eligibility requirements.

Qualifications

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills in complex situations.
• Ability to work with complex data and identify patterns.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct investigations of potential violations of federal laws.
• Create and maintain relationships with various law enforcement agencies.
• Maintain physical fitness for law enforcement duties.

Skills

Analytical skills

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Adaptability

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. Apply today.

How Your Physical Sciences Background Translates to a 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.

How to Apply

Step 1: Click on the “Apply” button to be directed to the FBIJobs Careers website.

Step 2: Click the “Start” button to begin. You will be prompted to either sign in to continue or register with FBIJobs if you don’t already have an account.

Step 3: Follow the step‑by‑step process to submit your interest. You must complete all sections of the form AND ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE ATTACHED to successfully submit your interest.

Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Please note your resume MUST NOT exceed two (2) pages.

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement.
• Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later.

Please see instructions on the site for attaching documents.

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.