As a Director of Physics, you will lead a team of physicists and scientific professionals in conducting research, development, and experimentation that supports Department of National Defence (DND) priorities and capabilities. You will be responsible for setting the scientific direction, managing budgets, and ensuring that physics research and applications align with defence and security objectives. Your work will contribute to innovations in areas such as materials science, optics, electromagnetics, acoustics, and other physics disciplines critical to military technology and operations. You will work in a collaborative environment with other scientific experts, engineers, and military personnel across DND establishments, promoting excellence in scientific inquiry and practical application of physics principles to real-world defence challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of physics services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the physics team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
Research design, Statistical analysis, Laboratory techniques, Scientific writing, Data interpretation, Team leadership, Operational planning, Stakeholder engagement, Results management
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To qualify for a Director - Physics position, you typically need a master's degree or PhD in physics or a closely related discipline from a recognized institution. Many successful candidates hold doctoral qualifications and have 10 or more years of progressive experience in physics research, development, or applied science roles within government, industry, or academia. Professional memberships in organizations such as the Canadian Association of Physicists or international equivalents are an asset. You will be expected to maintain current knowledge of advances in physics and related fields through ongoing professional development. DND provides access to training in scientific management, leadership development, and specialized courses relevant to defence science and technology. Certifications in project management or advanced technical areas may be required depending on your specific responsibilities.
Entry Plans
Entry into Director - Physics positions in the DND civilian workforce typically occurs through competitive staffing processes. You may enter as a lateral move from a senior scientist or research scientist role within DND or other federal science organizations, or through external recruitment if you have equivalent private sector or academic experience. DND periodically advertises positions through the Public Service Commission (PSC) when vacancies arise. Some candidates advance through internal talent pools after demonstrating leadership capability in lower-level physics or science management positions. If you are new to the federal Public Service, you would compete in an open competition; if you are already a federal employee, you may be eligible for internal competitions. Student interns and recent graduates can also enter DND's science stream through bridging or term positions, building experience toward director-level roles over time.
Part-Time Options
Director-level positions in physics are typically full-time, permanent roles given the management responsibilities and need for continuous leadership of research teams and programs. However, the federal Public Service does accommodate flexible work arrangements on a case-by-case basis, which may include compressed work weeks or flexible scheduling negotiated with your manager. Remote work options have expanded in recent years and may apply to certain tasks such as report writing, data analysis, and strategic planning, though regular on-site presence is expected for team meetings, laboratory oversight, and operational management. Any flexible arrangement must be approved by your director and aligned with operational requirements of your workplace. Part-time conversion to a director role is not standard in the federal science management stream, as the position requires full-time commitment to effective leadership and strategic decision-making.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
