Materials Scientists

material information research chemical property alloy investigative structure new material property for use variety of products

Materials Scientist, Polymer Materials Consultant, Research Scientist, Scientist

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • product and service development
  • computers and electronics

Math and Science

  • chemistry
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Skills

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Innovation
  • Initiative
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software

  • Bruker AXS LEPTOS
  • IBM SPSS Statistics Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand

Object or component oriented development software

  • Python Hot Technology In Demand
  • R Hot Technology In Demand

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
doctoral degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about materials scientists.