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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.
Other titles employers use
Applications Scientist · Materials Research Engineer · Materials Scientist · Metallurgical Engineer · Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist) · Polymer Materials Consultant · R and D Scientist (Research and Development Scientist) · Research Scientist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Writing
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.2 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 62%
- A doctorate or professional degree 19%
- A master's degree 14%
- A two-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Analytical or scientific software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Web platform development software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 720
- Job openings each year
- 0
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 5.9%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 720 | 0 | 5.9% |
| Washington | 540 | 60 | 28.6% |
| Illinois | 470 | 30 | 4.4% |
| Minnesota | 420 | 30 | 7.7% |
| Ohio | 400 | 30 | 8.1% |
| Tennessee | 400 | 30 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 390 | 30 | 5.4% |
| New Jersey | 360 | 30 | 2.9% |
| Michigan | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Massachusetts | 190 | 10 | 5.6% |
| Utah | 190 | 20 | 26.7% |
| North Carolina | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| New Hampshire | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Maryland | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| Texas | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Delaware | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Wisconsin | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Iowa | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Indiana | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Connecticut | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Nevada | 50 | 0 | — |
| Kentucky | 40 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 40 | 0 | — |
| Alabama | 30 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 30 | 0 | — |
| Mississippi | 30 | 0 | — |
| South Carolina | 20 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 58
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
University of Delaware
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
California State University-Long Beach
- Degrees each year
- 102
- Admit rate
- 47%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Auburn University
- Degrees each year
- 95
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 95
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 28
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Carnegie Mellon University
- Degrees each year
- 26
- Admit rate
- 11%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Indiana University-Bloomington
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000