SCIENCE DIRECTOR

Full Job Description

This is a Science Director position at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global.

ONR Global Science Directors are deployed globally in overseas locations, search for high risk, innovative fundamental science and technology research, and connect those researchers with the Naval Research and Development Enterprise (NR&DE In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11/13 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1.) Applying the results of scientific or engineering research to improve existing products and services or to develop new ones.; 2.) Formulating objectives and priorities consistent with the long-term interests of the organization, capitalizing on opportunities while managing programmatic and technical risks.

3.) Developing new insights into science and technology challenges, questioning conventional research and development approaches, and orchestrating revolutionary science and technology solutions.

and 4.) Developing, scheduling, coordinating, monitoring, and managing research projects and resources to ensure technical performance, particularly when working with multidisciplinary and international organizations and teams.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/ Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

Additional Information Continued: For current Navy employees, Command endorsement letters should be sent to onr.ncr.onrg.list.onrg.talent-manager@us.navy.mil and include the following statements: why the applicant should be considered; short summary of what the applicant will bring to the job; and a statement agreeing that upon successful completion of the assignment, the selectee will be returned to a position of equivalent or greater responsibility as the one he/she left .

The command endorsement letter MUST be signed by a TD/CO to be considered for the position; it must include Human Resources and Financial Management POCS.

To be considered for the position, the command endorsement letter MUST be signed by the CO, Technical Director/CTO, or other supervisor authorized by your organization to sign letterhead correspondence (by direction authority).ONRG will not schedule an interview with an applicant who has not submitted a signed endorsement letter.

For a sample endorsement letter, please contact Jessica Barksdale: jessica.e.barksdale.civ@us.navy.mil Letters are due to ONRG no later than April 30th, 2026.

If you encounter any delays, please contact Jessica Barksdale at jessica.e.barksdale.civ@us.navy.mil by the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:

• You will maintain frequent contact with appropriate scientists and engineers at Navy laboratories, warfare centers, and other federal science and technology funding agencies.
• You will translate and communicate complex scientific and technological concepts.
• You will review and identify new scientific and technological concepts and findings in their infancy and to evaluate their relevance, feasibility, and future applicability to DON mission.
• You will assess the importance of science and technology trends and innovations.
• You will explore and establish probable value of new scientific discoveries and identify effective approaches for understanding costly and high-risk developmental efforts.
• You will participate in group endeavors involving many interested parties and perspectives in order to help establish future science and technology needs and opportunities.