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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Materials Scientist, Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist), Polymer Materials Consultant, Research and Development Scientist (R and D Scientist), Research Scientist, Scientist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
- Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.
- 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.
- Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials.
- 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.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Accelrys Materials Studio,Advanced Chemistry Development Analytical Laboratory,ANSYS LS-DYNA,ANSYS Multiphysics,Bruker AXS EVA,Bruker AXS LEPTOS,Bruker AXS TOPAS,Chempute Software HSC Chemistry,CrystalMaker,Dassault Systemes Abaqus,GAMESS-US,General Structural Analysis System GSAS,IBM SPSS Statistics,Maplesoft Maple,Materials Data Incorporated Jade,Multichannel microelectrode analyzer MMA software,Olympus Image Analysis,PANalytical X'Pert Data Collector,PANalytical X'Pert Epitaxy,PWscf,RIETAN,SolidWorks COSMOSWorks,Stewart Computational Chemistry MOPAC,The MathWorks MATLAB,VAMP/VASP,Wolfram Research Mathematica
- Data base user interface and query software:International Centre for Diffraction Data ICDD DDView
- Development environment software:National Instruments LabVIEW
- Electronic mail software:Email software
- Internet browser software:Web browser software
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Analyzing Data or Information:Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Detailed Work Activities
- Advise others on the development or use of new technologies.
- Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
- Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
- Confer with clients to exchange information.
- Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:95% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:86% responded"Every day"
- Telephone:62% responded"Once a week or more but not every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:62% responded"Every day"
- Physical Proximity:62% responded"Slightly close (e.g., shared office)"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Science:Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Active Learning:Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology:Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Chemistry:Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Physics:Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
- Computers and Electronics:Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 38%Bachelor's Degree
- 24%Doctoral Degree
- 24%Master's Degree
- 10%Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Written Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Recognition:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Work Styles
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Innovation:Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
- Initiative:Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
More Information
Get yourself a new skill
In this Path
Track1
Analytical Skills
Track2
Microsoft Office Set
Microsoft Excel
This course is designed to take you from Zero to Hero on Excel, and make your accounting job and req...
Read moreFiltered AI
Microsoft Word
Word is not just for writing plain text; and this is why this course is here to guide you through ev...
Read moreIntellezy Learning