Materials Scientists
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.
15 alternate job titles:
Salary Information
Materials Scientists: $104,160 (median) per year.
Starting salary (10th percentile).
Required expreience: Varies by Company
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
| Task Description | Category |
|---|---|
| Design research studies to obtain scientific information. | Analysis |
| Conduct research to gain information about products or processes. | Analysis |
| Devise research or testing protocols. | Analysis |
| Confer with clients to exchange information. | General |
| Test quality of materials or finished products. | General |
| Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys. | General |
| Instruct college students in physical or life sciences. | General |
| Write articles, books or other original materials in area of expertise. | General |
| Develop new or advanced products or production methods. | Development |
| Advise others on the development or use of new technologies. | Development |
| Develop theories or models of physical phenomena. | Development |
| Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. | Communication |
| Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards. | Maintenance |
Technology Requirements
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| Hypertext markup language HTML | Web platform development software |
| IBM SPSS Statistics | Analytical or scientific software |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software |
| Python | Object or component oriented development software |
| R | Object or component oriented development software |
| The MathWorks MATLAB | Analytical or scientific software |
| ANSYS LS-DYNA | Analytical or scientific software |
| ANSYS Multiphysics | Analytical or scientific software |
| Accelrys Materials Studio | Analytical or scientific software |
| Advanced Chemistry Development Analytical Laboratory | Analytical or scientific software |
| Bruker AXS EVA | Analytical or scientific software |
| Bruker AXS LEPTOS | Analytical or scientific software |
| Bruker AXS TOPAS | Analytical or scientific software |
| Chempute Software HSC Chemistry | Analytical or scientific software |
| CrystalMaker | Analytical or scientific software |
| Dassault Systemes Abaqus | Analytical or scientific software |
| Email software | Electronic mail software |
| GAMESS-US | Analytical or scientific software |
| General Structural Analysis System GSAS | Analytical or scientific software |
| Maplesoft Maple | Analytical or scientific software |
| Materials Data Incorporated Jade | Analytical or scientific software |
| Multichannel microelectrode analyzer MMA software | Analytical or scientific software |
| National Instruments LabVIEW | Development environment software |
| Olympus Image Analysis | Analytical or scientific software |
| PANalytical X'Pert Data Collector | Analytical or scientific software |
| PANalytical X'Pert Epitaxy | Analytical or scientific software |
| PWscf | Analytical or scientific software |
| RIETAN | Analytical or scientific software |
| SolidWorks COSMOSWorks | Analytical or scientific software |
| Stewart Computational Chemistry MOPAC | Analytical or scientific software |
| VAMP/VASP | Analytical or scientific software |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software |
| Wolfram Research Mathematica | Analytical or scientific software |
| International Centre for Diffraction Data ICDD DDView | Data base user interface and query software |
Relevant Certifications
Industry certifications that may be valuable for this career role:
| Certification | Issuing Organization | Practice Test |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Lubrication Specialist | Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers | Not Available |
| Corrosion Specialist | The Association for Materials Protection and Performance | Not Available |
| Protective Coatings Specialist | The Association for Materials Protection and Performance | Not Available |
| WSO - Certified Hazardous Materials Supervisor | World Safety Organization | Not Available |