Materials Scientists

Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and manmade 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.

Job Task

• Conduct research into the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics in order 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.
• Test individual parts and products in order to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
• Test metals in order to determine whether they meet specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat and cold.
• Visit suppliers of materials or users of products in order to gather specific information.
• Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials.
• Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials having special characteristics.
• Prepare reports of materials study findings for the use of other scientists and requestors.
• Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
• Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials in order to develop such products as ceramic fillings for teeth, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
• Study the nature, structure and physical properties of metals and their alloys, and their responses to applied forces.
• Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression and shear, to determine the cause of metal failures.
• Confer with customers in order to determine how materials can be tailored to suit their needs.
• Monitor production processes in order to ensure that equipment is used efficiently and that projects are completed within appropriate time frames and budgets.
• Receive molten metal from smelters, and further alloy and refine it in oxygen, open-hearth or other kinds of furnaces.
• Teach in colleges and universities.

Looking for a job in Materials Scientists? Check out these great job search websites. Thousands of job opportunities and reseach for a new career! Includes job search websites from Australia and internationally