Materials Scientists
Materials Research Engineer, Materials Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientist
- 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.
Knowledge
Engineering and Technology
- product and service development
- computers and electronics
Math and Science
- chemistry
- physics
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
- manufacture and distribution of products
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Skills
Basic Skills
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- reading work related information
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
- measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
Abilities
Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- 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
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
- Persistence
- Achievement/Effort
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Analytical or scientific software
- Bruker AXS LEPTOS
- IBM SPSS Statistics
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Object or component oriented development software
- Python
- R
Education
doctoral degree
usually needed
Job Outlook
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