1. Serves as the principal scientific/technical advisor and primary authority for the technical content of the Department of the Air Force S&T portfolio. Evaluates the DAF technical research program to determine its adequacy and efficiency in meeting national, DoD, and DAF objectives in core technology areas. Identifies research gaps and analyzes advancements in a broad variety of scientific fields to advise on their impact on DAF programs and mission objectives. Recommends new initiatives and adjustments to current research programs required to meet current and future Air and Space Force needs. Programs judged by the SAF/ST to be worthy of intensive and extensive exploration are of national and/or international significance and involve many major and exceptionally critical scientific and engineering problems. Novel interdisciplinary approaches are often required.
2. Advises the Secretary of the Air Force, providing independent evaluations and objective advice across a broad range of technology related subjects. Advice is based primarily on technical merit. Subjects are derived from:
1.1. Tasks assigned by the Secretary of the Air Force, the Under Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations.
1.2. Technical/research/science issues determined by the SAF/ST to be of high DAF importance.
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3. Advises senior leaders across the DAF on S&T and R&D matters, as appropriate. The SAF/ST interacts with organizations across the Air Force, Space Force, other services, the Department of Defense, and other U.S. Departments to research technical issues. In doing so, identifies and analyzes issues affecting various levels of the DAF and brings them to the attention of the Secretariat and Air and Space Force leaders, as appropriate.
4. As a nationally recognized scientific expert, provides authoritative counsel and advice to DAF leadership and S&T organizations within the DAF. Provides needed technical sophistication, stature, and experience to represent the Department of the Air Force S&T community in engagements with the international scientific community. Fosters and leads collaboration with foreign countries as well as other services and agencies, universities, and industry. Serves as an authoritative consultant or member on boards and/or panels charged with advising on and evaluating the need for scientific and engineering R&D programs having national and/or international significance and import. Represents the Department of the Air Force at high level technical meetings and conferences and at DoD, interagency, international, and White House forums, as appropriate.
5. Guiding DAF S&T leadership. The Chief Scientist serves as a focal point for DAF S&T:
- 5.1 Convening and chairing semi-annual meetings of Air and Space Force S&T leadership to discuss Air and Space Force-wide technical issues and effect cross flow between technical areas and the operational Air and Space Forces. Attendees include chief scientists and technical directors from laboratories, test centers, major commands, and others, as appropriate.
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- 5.2 Serving on the Scientist and Engineer Advisory Council (SEAC), chaired by the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition) (SAF/AQ), which oversees the health of science and engineering career fields across the Air For
- 5.3. Serving on the Scientist and Engineer Advisory Council (SEAC), chaired by the Assistant Secretary of the Space Force (Acquisition) (SAF/SQ), which oversees the health of science and engineering career fields across the Space Force.
6. Evaluates theoretical and experimental studies within multiple critical technological areas. Defines and selects specific topics for investigations based on technical objectives, own authoritative knowledge of subjects and own inventions and concepts. Integrates scientific advances with the technical state-of-the-art and military technology requirements and technically guides research and development efforts accordingly. Serves as a member of the Air and Space Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Steering Committees. Participates in the definition of studies and selection of candidates for membership and the chairperson and attending SAB meetings and study groups as appropriate.
7. Sponsoring and administering the DAF-level Science and Technology award programs as outlined in AFI 36-2843, Science and Technology Awards. The SAF/ST evaluates the quality, novelty, and merit of Department of the Air Force level science and technology award submissions and recommends award recipients to the Secretary of the Air Force.
8. There are no Field Operating Agencies reporting to the SAF/ST.
Starting at $147,649 Per Year (ST 00)