Marine Corps MOS · Support
8899 Career Doctor of Philosophy, Technical
Overview
A Career Doctor of Philosophy, Technical officer leads Marine Corps technical research programs, advises senior leaders, coordinates with defense research organizations, publishes findings, and mentors graduate students. Effective 1 October 2026, PMOS 8899 provides a career path for qualified lieutenant colonels and colonels who hold FMOS 8890.
Minimum clearance: Secret at entry, TS/SCI to maintain
Core Skills
- research and development portfolio leadership
- original technical research program direction
- technical problem framing and strategic foresight
- emerging technology and investment assessment
- defense capability and force design analysis
- external research partnership coordination
- joint and national technology forum representation
- executive science and technology advising
- congressional testimony and program review support
- peer-reviewed publication and technical presentation
- interdisciplinary technical team leadership
- graduate education and research mentoring
Civilian Software & Tools
- Python
- R
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Power BI
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Civilian Career Paths
- Research and Development
- Scientific Research
- Engineering Management
- Technology Policy
- Project Management
- Training and Education
What the Work Involves
- Plan and direct research and development portfolios aligned with organizational priorities.
- Lead and evaluate scientists, engineers, researchers, and other technical staff.
- Review research, testing, and operational reports to assess technical risks and opportunities.
- Coordinate with government laboratories, academic institutions, and industry to develop and transition research.
- Present technical findings and recommendations to senior leaders, oversight bodies, and professional audiences.
Related Occupations
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Project Management Specialists
- Operations Research Analysts
- Computer and Information Research Scientists
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: graduate-level education or extensive experience.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
Report an error on this page