Biomaterials Research Team Lead

Open to current AFRL civilian employees only. Applications accepted until 5:00 PM EST, 10 August 2026.

About the Role

The AFRL Foundational Technology Directorate seeks to hire a motivated and experienced Biological Scientist (0401), General Engineer (0801), Materials Engineer (0806), Chemist (1320), or related job series to serve as the Biomaterials Research Team Lead in the Biomaterials Branch (REE-B) in the Photonic, Electronic & Soft Materials Division (REE) of the Foundational Technology Directorate (RE). This position will be filled at the DR-03 level and is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. This position may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length Term appointment with the option to later extend or convert to a permanent appointment.

Responsibilities

• Leads research strategy and vision for a team of ~8 government personnel performing in-house research to develop 6.1/6.2 technologies that align with critical DAF material gaps/requirements, guiding in-house efforts including: synthetic biology, enzymatic catalysis, bioinformatics, metabolic engineering, and microbiology to execute short and long-term research goals delivering new capabilities to the warfighter.
• Manages basic research portfolio thrusts, develops/evaluates proposals, ensures satisfactory technical progress, and plans and executes annual research team budget to meet DoW fiscal performance benchmarks.
• Works closely with Biomaterials Advanced Development Lead and leadership to mature in-house research from TRL 1-4, with a focus on transition pathways to applied research and experimentation, integrating in-house efforts with the broader Foundational Technologies Directorate strategy and technology programs.
• Effectively communicates and reports status on technical concepts, programs, transitions, and impact to non-specialists, including senior leaders, decision makers, and transition stakeholders.
• Skillfully engages and interfaces across the biomaterials/biotechnology ecosystem (AFRL, DoW, academia, and industry) to execute the research portfolio in a cost-effective and productive manner.
• Builds and maintains a culture of teamwork and excellence within the directorate, mentoring junior and mid-level scientists to promote a positive and collaborative environment.
• Maintains technical competence to shape and influence S&T direction nationally and internationally while continuing to support the broader DAF mission by serving as a trusted consultant and advisor within the DAF, DoW, and the national technology arena.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Possess an advanced professional science and engineering (S&E) degree at the PhD level in a relevant technical field from an accredited (or ABET accredited for engineering) academic institution.
• At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade DR-02 or equivalent in other pay systems.
• Must have Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering & Technical Management or obtain within 60 months of assignment.
• Must meet, or be capable of meeting, Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• Selectee is required to submit annual Confidential Financial Disclosure (OGE Form 450).
• This is a drug-testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment and participation in random drug testing.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in a field relevant to biology or biomaterials development. At least 1 of those years must be in a leadership role such as internal technical leadership, management of complex external projects, or similar.
• Demonstrated technical thought leadership, program management, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated experience as an independent researcher and guiding a team to author peer-reviewed papers, publications, and/or proposals relevant to biomaterials and/or biotechnology research and development.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across a broad organization to achieve corporate goals.
• Demonstrated ability to transition technologies to industrial and government customers.

Schedule

This position is eligible for situational telework as determined by agency policy.