Provides technical leadership in formulating research attacks on problems which have been recognized as critical obstacles to progress or development in areas of exceptional interest. The problem area is approached by a series of complete but related studies. Sophisticated research techniques are applied to solve problems. Studies will result in a series of publications, providing important changes to existing products, processes, techniques or practices. Incumbent is assigned a broad problem area with freedom to identify, define and select specific problems, as well as their priority in terms of importance to the program and likelihood of success.
Technical supervision is nominal and consultative in nature.
Supervisor is kept informed through informal discussions of general plans and progress of work, and consulted when proposed changes involve considerable investment of resources, but incumbent has full control over equipment and personnel already allocated. Completed work is considered technically authoritative and reviewed only for accomplishment of objectives. Incumbent applies new techniques and original methods of attack to the solution of important problems that present novel or unprecedented aspects, and for which there is a dearth of scientific literature. A high degree of insight and ingenuity is required to isolate and define critical features of problem, and to adapt, extend and synthesize existing theory, principles and techniques, or, at times, to formulate new theory or methodology. Other researchers take note of incumbent's published results in order to keep abreast of new developments.