Materials Scientists

Career Overview

Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.

Also Known As

• Materials Research Engineer
• Materials Scientist
• Research Scientist
• Scientist

Alternate Job Titles

• Analytical Scientist
• Applications Scientist
• Material Science Engineer
• Materials Research Engineer
• Materials Scientist
• Metal Alloy Scientist
• Metallurgical Engineer
• Metallurgist
• Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist)
• Plastics Scientist
• Polymer Materials Consultant
• Polymer Specialist
• R and D Scientist (Research and Development Scientist)
• Research Development Specialist
• Research Scientist

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.
• Test metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, and cold.
• Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
• Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.
• Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
• Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
• Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Research or design methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop products, such as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
• Review and select materials for products to meet product design and cost requirements.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Engineering and Technology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Computers and Electronics
• Production and Processing
• Design

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Active Listening
3. Science
4. Critical Thinking
5. Complex Problem Solving
6. Writing
7. Speaking
8. Active Learning
9. Judgment and Decision Making

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Near Vision

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Intellectual Curiosity
• Attention to Detail
• Innovation
• Dependability
• Achievement Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Achievement
• Recognition
• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Support

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Hypertext markup language HTML
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Python
• R
• The MathWorks MATLAB

Tools & Equipment

• Accelerometers
• Annealing ovens
• Atomic absorption AA spectroscopes
• Atomic force microscopes
• Auger electron spectrometers
• Backscatter detectors
• Ball mills
• Ball-on-disk tribometers
• Blungers
• Box furnaces
• Capacitance manometers
• Capillary rheometers
• Charge-coupled device CCD cameras
• Cold isostatic presses
• Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Telephone Conversations
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$61,460
Median	$104,160
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$168,500

Workers Employed Nationally: 8,330

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.