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Physical Scientist

Department of Energy

Germantown, MDJobSeen 1 day agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Germantown, MD
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Job overview

The Physical Scientist (ECMP Program Manager) advises Department of Energy leadership on the scientific focus and direction of the Basic Energy Sciences Experimental Condensed Matter Physics program. The role directs research priorities, administers competitive funding, oversees budgets and scientific progress, and builds collaborations across DOE, national laboratories, academia, and industry. Candidates must meet the basic education requirement and have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Scientific Program ManagementScientific Proposal EvaluationResearch Progress EvaluationPeer Review EvaluationResearch Budget ManagementResource Allocation

Qualifications

One Year Specialized ExperiencePhysical Science or Related Engineering Science Degree24 Semester Hours Physical ScienceEducation Plus Experience or Additional Education

Full job description

Summary 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. Responsibilities We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy As a Physical Scientist (ECMP Program Manager), you will: 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 Conditions of Employment 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. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 1301 SERIES 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 [email protected]. 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.

How this job compares

Set against the 11,259 open Program Manager jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 28, 2026.

Pay
  • This postingNot listed
  • Maryland median$127–200K/yr183 salary ranges
  • US median$44–57/hr388 hourly ranges
Openings
Olive Jobs lists 228 open Program Manager jobs in Maryland and 11,259 across the US. 4% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Maryland
Experience
This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience — less than three in four Program Manager postings that state a minimum ask for (median 6 years, across 9,560 postings).
Education
5,023 of the 11,259 open Program Manager jobs (45%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 28, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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