Chief of Applied Bioeffects and Directed Energy Sciences

Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 PM EST, 22 July 2026.

The Bioeffects Division, AFRL/RHD, seeks to hire a senior-level DR-04 in the 04xx, 08xx or 13xx series, to serve as the Bioeffects Division Chief in San Antonio, TX.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as the Bioeffects Division Chief, leading and managing a highly complex, multidisciplinary workforce of both military and civilian personnel.
• Directs comprehensive science and technology (S&T) programs aimed at protecting against and exploiting the bioeffects of battlefield stressors to optimize Airman performance and combat survivability.
• Oversees critical research operations, business processes, and infrastructure, including the Tri-Service Research Lab, ensuring seamless operational support for highly specialized RDT&E activities.
• Acts as the premier Air Force authority on directed energy and environmental stressor bioeffects, continuously assessing the scientific merit, quality, and technical rigor of complex biological effects and engineering programs.
• Guides research, development, test, and evaluation efforts to predict and mitigate radio frequency radiation bioeffects, thereby optimizing the safety and efficacy of directed energy applications.
• Advances solutions to counter optical hazards and exploit offensive electro-optics technologies, enabling forces to function safely and effectively on the directed energy battlefield.
• Ensures quality scientific investigation and transition of data to support national and international science-based occupational exposure standards.
• Provides expert-level leadership and technical analysis to integrate biological, cognitive, and engineering sciences for the development of applications across the electromagnetic spectrum and defensive countermeasures.
• Consults as a primary subject matter expert to national and international agencies, while preparing, reviewing, and approving high-impact scientific papers, engineering specifications, and technical reports for journals and books.

Required Qualifications

• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• United States Citizenship.
• Must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance for the position.
• Candidate must be able to meet the qualification requirements for one series in the 04xx, 08xx or 13xx series https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series.
• Applicants must have at least one (1) year or 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent in an alternate pay system.
• This is a Drug Testing Designated Position. The incumbent may be subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
• Must file an OGE 450 Public Financial Disclosure Report upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Travel could be required up to 50% of the time while in this position.
• Incentive may or may not be offered.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of Air Force operations, objectives, principles, and methods.
• PhD in a relevant science field preferred.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in mission, major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and operations of the RH Directorate or another AFRL Directorate.
• Strong leadership to mentor and develop other military and government civilian personnel.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

Yes

Additional Information

Requisition Number 55954

Series

04XX

08XX

13XX

Posting End Date

07/22/2026