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.
Tasks Include:
- Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials having 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.
- Prepare reports of materials study findings for the use of other scientists and requestors.
- 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.
- Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
- Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
more »
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: +11.7%
National: +10.2%
Education
Master's Degree
Job Zone:
Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Average Earnings:
National
$86,300.00
State
$91,950.00
Regional
Materials Scientists
Description
| Career Cluster: | Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
|
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.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Education
Required Level of Education
- Master's Degree = 84.40%
- Doctoral Degree = 9.42%
- Post-Doctoral Training = 4.67%
- Bachelor's Degree = 0.65%
- 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 = 0.38%
- High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) = 0.22%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 0.14%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master = 0.11%
Related Work Experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 41.79%
- Over 10 years = 33.32%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 14.35%
- Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 5.20%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 4.91%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 0.14%
- Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years = 0.09%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 0.09%
- Up to and including 1 month = 0.09%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 44.15%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 33.08%
- Up to and including 1 month = 9.12%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 4.57%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 3.96%
- None = 2.54%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 2.47%
- Over 10 years = 0.11%
On-the-Job Training
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 45.85%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 35.07%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 11.07%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 6.98%
- None or short demonstration = 0.49%
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 0.32%
- Over 10 years = 0.11%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 0.09%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials having 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.
- Prepare reports of materials study findings for the use of other scientists and requestors.
- 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.
- Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
- Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
- Visit suppliers of materials or users of products to gather specific information.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
- Study the nature, structure and physical properties of metals and their alloys, and their responses to applied forces.
- Monitor production processes in order to ensure that equipment is used efficiently and that projects are completed within appropriate time frames and budgets.
- Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
- 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.
- Teach in colleges and universities.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Tools and Technology
Tools Include:
- Accelerometers
- Vacuum ovens (Annealing ovens)
- Atomic absorption AA spectrometers (Atomic absorption AA spectroscopes)
- Scanning probe microscopes (Atomic force microscopes)
- Spectrometers (Auger electron spectrometers)
- Light scattering equipment (Backscatter detectors)
- Laboratory mills (Ball mills)
- Wear testers (Ball-on-disk tribometers)
- Laboratory mixers (Blungers)
- Laboratory box furnaces (Box furnaces)
- Manometers (Capacitance manometers)
- Rheometers (Capillary rheometers)
- Photo attachments for microscopes (Charge-coupled device CCD cameras)
- Presses (Cold isostatic presses)
- Milling cutters (Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers)
- Viscosimeters (Cone viscometers)
- Surface tension measuring instruments (Contact angle goniometers)
- Creep testers (Creep testing equipment)
- Crystal growing equipment (Crystal growers)
- Desktop computers
- Power saws (Diamond wafering saws)
- Spectrometers (Dielectric spectrometers)
- Calorimeters (Differential scanning calorimeters)
- Thermal differential analyzers (Differential thermal analyzers)
- Oscilloscopes (Digital oscilloscopes)
- Volumeters (Dilatometers)
- Volumeters (Double push rod dilatometers)
- Electronic actuators (Dynamic actuators)
- Light scattering equipment (Dynamic light scattering equipment)
- Thermal differential analyzers (Dynamic mechanical analyzers DMA)
- Laboratory box furnaces (Electrode furnaces)
- Metal markers or holders (Electrolytic etching machines)
- Thickness measuring devices (Ellipsometers)
- Abrasion testers (Erosion testers)
- Extruders (Extruding machines)
- Milling cutters (Fast tool servos)
- Scanning electron microscopes (Field emission scanning electron microscopes)
- Infrared spectrometers (Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers)
- Freeze dryers or lyopholizers (Freeze dryers)
- Fume hoods or cupboards (Fume hoods)
- Signal generators (Function generators)
- Spectrometers (Gamma ray spectrometers)
- Mass spectrometers (Gas chromatograph mass spectrometers GC-MS)
- Isolation glove boxes (Glove box systems)
- Power grinders (Grinding spindles)
- Laboratory evaporators (High vacuum evaporation systems)
- Power saws (High-speed cutoff saws)
- Sampling manifolds (High-vacuum manifolds)
- Tube furnaces (Horizontal tube furnaces)
- Presses (Hot isostatic presses)
- Hydraulic press frames (Hot mounting presses)
- Hydraulic press frames (Hydraulic presses)
- Thickness measuring devices (Imaging ellipsometers)
- Impact testers
- Crucible furnaces (Induction furnaces)
- Inductively coupled plasma ICP spectrometers (Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers ICP-MS)
- X ray radiography examination equipment (Industrial computed tomography CT scanners)
- Injection molding machines (Injection molders)
- Interferometers (Interferometric microscopes)
- Ion selective electrode ISE meters (Ion analyzers)
- Analytical balances (Laboratory analytical balances)
- Ultra pure water systems (Laboratory water purification systems)
- Notebook computers (Laptop computers)
- Interferometers (Laser interferometers)
- Linear position sensors (Linear variable differential transformers LVDT)
- Loadcells (Load cells)
- Hardness testers (Macrohardness testers)
- Grinders (Manual grinders)
- Laboratory evaporators (Metal evaporation chambers)
- Metallurgical microscopes (Metallographic microscopes)
- Calorimeters (Microcalorimeters)
- Photo attachments for microscopes (Microscope digital cameras)
- Mass spectrometers (Mobile mass spectrometers)
- Spectrometers (Mossbauer spectroscopes)
- Laboratory box furnaces (Muffle furnaces)
- Corrosion testers (Multisample autoclaves)
- Scanning probe microscopes (Nanoscope atomic force microscopes)
- Reflectometers (Neutron reflectometers)
- Laboratory box furnaces (Nitrogen furnaces)
- Binocular light compound microscopes (Optical compound microscopes)
- Surface testers (Optical profilometers)
- Radiation detectors (Peltier cooled solid-state detectors)
- Personal computers
- Polarizing microscopes (Petrographic microscopes)
- Induction heaters (Plasma arc melting furnaces)
- Viscosimeters (Plate viscometers)
- Porosimeters (Pore sizers)
- Potentiometers (Potentiostats)
- Surface testers (Profilometers)
- Microcontrollers (Programmable logic controllers PLC)
- Laboratory crushers or pulverizers (Pulverizers)
- Laboratory balances (Quartz crystal microbalances)
- Thickness measuring devices (Quartz crystal thickness monitors)
- Spectrometers (Raman scattering spectroscopes)
- Semiconductor testers (Reactive ion etchers RIE)
- Viscosimeters (Rotational viscometers)
- Safety glasses
- Goggles (Safety goggles)
- Corrosion testers (Salt spray chambers)
- Scanning electron microscopes (Scanning electron microscopes SEM)
- Scanning probe microscopes (Scanning Kelvin probes)
- Scanning probe microscopes (Scanning probe microscopes SPM)
- Scanning probe microscopes (Scanning tunneling microscopes STM)
- Abrasion testers (Scratch testers)
- Injection molding machines (Screw injection molding machines)
- Spectrometers (Secondary ion mass spectrometers SIMS)
- Particle size measuring apparatus (Sedigraphs)
- Laboratory balances (Semi-microbalances)
- Power grinders (Semiautomatic grinders)
- Fatigue testers (Servohydraulic test machines)
- Laboratory mills (Shaker ball mills)
- Abrasion testers (Slurry abrasion testers)
- Ultrasonic examination equipment (Sonic modulus testers)
- Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters (Spectrofluorimeters)
- Spectrophotometers
- Frequency analyzers (Spectrum analyzers)
- Semiconductor process systems (Sputter deposition systems)
- Electronic actuators (Static actuators)
- Stereo or dissecting light microscopes (Stereo microscopes)
- Roughness measuring instruments (Stylus profilometers)
- Swaging tools
- Casting machines (Tape casters)
- Thermo gravimetry analyzers (Thermal gravimetric analyzers)
- Blow torches (Thermal spray torches)
- Diffractometers (Theta-theta diffractometers)
- Corrosion testers (Titanium autoclaves)
- Transmission electron microscopes (Transmission electron microscopes TEM)
- Tube furnaces
- Laboratory box furnaces (Ultra high temperature furnaces)
- Laboratory balances (Ultra microbalances)
- Lathes (Ultraprecision lathes)
- Ultrasonic examination equipment (Ultrasonic analyzers)
- Ultrasonic cleaning equipment (Ultrasonic cleaners)
- Wear testers (UV exposure chambers)
- Magnetometer geophysical instruments (Vibrating sample magnetometers)
- Tumblers or polishers (Vibratory polishers)
- X ray diffraction equipment (X ray diffractometers)
- X ray generators
Technologies Include:
- 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
- Dassault Systemes Abaqus
- ESM Software CrystalMaker
- GAMESS-US
- General Structural Analysis System GSAS
- Maplesoft Maple
- Materials Data Incorporated Jade
- Multichannel microelectrode analyzer MMA software
- Olympus analysis software
- 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
- Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Additional Resources
General information on career opportunities and earnings for chemists is available from:
American Chemical Society
Education Division
1155 16th St. NW.
Washington, DC 20036
http://www.acs.org
Information on obtaining a position as a chemist with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through a telephone-based system. Consult your telephone directory under U.S. Government for a local number or call (912) 757-3000; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339 The first number is not tollfree and charges may result. Information also is available from the OPM Internet site:
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1900/1980b.htm
For general information on materials science, contact:
Materials Research Society (MRS)
506 Keystone Dr.
Warrendale, PA 15086-7573
http://www.mrs.org
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.
Materials Scientists
Knowledge
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 95.50 | 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. |
| 71.25 | 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. |
| 69.25 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
| 68.50 | Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| 67.25 | Administration and Management | Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
| 62.25 | Production and Processing | Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
| 53.25 | Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| 52.00 | 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. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Skills
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 78.00 | Science | Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| 72.00 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. |
| 72.00 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| 72.00 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
| 68.75 | 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. |
| 65.50 | Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| 62.50 | Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| 62.50 | Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| 59.50 | Operations Analysis | Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
| 59.50 | Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| 56.25 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| 50.00 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Abilities
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 78.25 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| 75.00 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
| 75.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
| 72.00 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
| 72.00 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
| 72.00 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. |
| 65.75 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| 65.75 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
| 62.50 | Originality | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. |
| 62.50 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
| 62.50 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
| 59.50 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
| 59.50 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
| 56.25 | Flexibility of Closure | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
| 56.25 | Mathematical Reasoning | The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. |
| 56.25 | Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
| 53.25 | Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
| 50.00 | Number Facility | The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Work Activities
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 83.25 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| 82.75 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| 82.25 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| 80.25 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| 80.00 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| 78.75 | Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| 77.50 | Interacting With Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| 76.00 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| 75.50 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| 73.50 | Thinking Creatively | Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| 69.25 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| 67.00 | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| 65.75 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| 65.00 | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| 62.75 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| 62.50 | Communicating with Persons Outside Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| 62.50 | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material | Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| 55.25 | Developing Objectives and Strategies | Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| 53.00 | Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| 52.50 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Work Styles
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 83.25 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
| 78.50 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
| 75.75 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
| 75.00 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
| 72.75 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
| 71.50 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
| 69.50 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
| 68.75 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
| 64.00 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
| 64.00 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
| 63.00 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
| 62.00 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. |
| 61.75 | Self Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
| 60.00 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
| 54.75 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Work Values
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 77.83 | 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. |
| 72.17 | 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. |
| 72.17 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
| 69.50 | Working Conditions | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
| 50.00 | Support | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Work Context
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 99.80 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
| 99.40 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
| 97.60 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
| 94.40 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
| 93.20 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
| 92.80 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
| 92.20 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
| 91.00 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
| 90.80 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
| 89.20 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
| 87.60 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company? |
| 83.80 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
| 83.40 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
| 77.20 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
| 77.00 | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? |
| 75.20 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
| 74.40 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
| 73.80 | Deal With External Customers | How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? |
| 73.40 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
| 71.60 | Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions? |
| 71.60 | Consequence of Error | How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? |
| 68.00 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
| 64.40 | Public Speaking | How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job? |
| 63.80 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
| 60.80 | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable | How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? |
| 57.40 | Exposed to Contaminants | How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
| 55.60 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
| 52.40 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
| 51.40 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
| 49.60 | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People | How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Job Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
- Examples
- These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, wildlife biologists, school psychologists, surgeons, treasurers, and controllers.
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Earnings Benefits
| Region | Entry Level | Average | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $45,290.00 | $86,600.00 | $131,460.00 |
| Virginia | $60,880.00 | $91,950.00 | $131,170.00 |
| Region | Entry Level | Average | Experienced |
| Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | $56,956.82 | $79,965.50 | $106,204.20 |
| Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | $50,114.46 | $98,039.40 | $157,973.72 |
| Piedmont Workforce | $66,718.88 | $106,275.19 | $143,262.69 |
| Shenandoah Valley | $45,913.92 | $95,623.73 | $140,430.22 |
| South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
Materials Scientists
Employment Projections
| National | 2010 | 2020 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 8,700 | 9,500 | + 10.2% |
| State | 2008 | 2018 | % Change |
| Virginia | 111 | 124 | + 11.7% |
| Region | 2008 | 2018 | % Change |
| Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Central VA/Region2000 | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Crater Area | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Greater Peninsula | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Piedmont Workforce | 28 | 31 | + 10.7% |
| Shenandoah Valley | 35 | 31 | - 11.4% |
| South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Southwestern Virginia | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| West Piedmont | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Western Virginia | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Workforce Connection.
Materials Scientists
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Physicists
- Chemists
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
- Chemical Technicians
Careers in Science and Math Pathway:
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Water Resource Specialists
- Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
- Geographic Information Systems Technicians
- Mathematicians
- Statisticians
- Biostatisticians
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Microbiologists
- Biological Scientists, All Other
- Bioinformatics Scientists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Geneticists
- Conservation Scientists
- Park Naturalists
- Life Scientists, All Other
- Astronomers
- Physicists
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Chemists
- Materials Scientists
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Industrial Ecologists
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
- Hydrologists
- Physical Scientists, All Other
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Environmental Economists
- Survey Researchers
- Anthropologists and Archeologists
- Anthropologists
- Archeologists
- Geographers
- Historians
- Political Scientists
- Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
- Agricultural Technicians
- Food Science Technicians
- Biological Technicians
- Chemical Technicians
- Nuclear Technicians
- Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Quality Control Analysts
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Bioinformatics Technicians
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
View Videos
The following videos are available for this occupation:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (4.20 Mb)
Macromedia Flash is required for viewing the videos. If you do not have the Flash plugin, it is freely available for download.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.
Materials Scientists
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Materials Scientists
Titles
- Development Engineer
- Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Materials Lab Technician
- Materials Research Engineer
- Materials Scientist
- Metal Alloy Scientist
- Metallurgical Engineer
- Metals Research Engineer
- Microelectricalmechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist)
- Nanotechnologist
- Plastics Scientist
- Polymer Materials Consultant
- Polymer Specialist
- Product Development Manager
- Professor
- Research and Development Scientist (R and D Scientist)
- Research Associate
- Research Professor
- Research Scientist
- Technology Officer
- Textile Technologist
- Thin Film Development Engineer
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.