Material Scientists
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In the career as Material scientists, they study the material science which includes the study of materials and its properties so that they can improve the existing substances, or create new ones. They study the relationship between the composition/ structure, properties and processing of materials. They mostly specialize in specific areas such as ceramics or metals, or other materials.
Metals and alloys are inorganic materials that are composed of one or more metallic elements. On the other hand, ceramic consists of both the metallic and non- metallic elements that are bonded together chemically.
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Tasks:-
In the career as material scientists, they have to perform following tasks:-
- Design, research and develop new materials for a specific purpose.
- Design and carry out experiments to test how materials respond in specific conditions like excessive temperature, humidity and change their form (for example cracking, corroding, and breakage).
- Develop, modify, or improve and maintain processes for the formation of materials.
- Analyze the materials and suggest ways to improve it.
- Prepare reports of materials study so that can be used by other scientists and engineers.
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Qualifications:-
To get into a career as material scientists a person should be at least having a bachelor's degree in material science, chemistry, physics or material engineering. A master's degree is needed for the research work. The subjects that are usually studied by a material science student during his graduation are mathematics, biological science, chemistry, and physics.
Other necessary skills:-
The other necessary skills that are necessary to have a career as material scientists are as follows:-
- Material scientists should have good interpersonal skills as they have to work as a team.
- They also should have good oral and written communication skills.
- They should have analytical and problem solving skills.
- Should have curiosity and stamina to perform different experiments for different substances and should be devoted and focused on their work.
Place of work:-
In the career as Material Scientists, they have to perform their daily work in offices and labs. Those who are involved in R & D, not only spend time in labs, but also in offices to do theoretical research, plan, record and prepare reports on their earlier research. Material scientists usually work for regular of 40 hours a week. But work may also require longer hours depending on the type of work.
Job Opportunities:-
The material scientists are required in large numbers in private corporations, government agencies, and universities. Large pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms will require more number of material scientists in coming years.
The career as material scientists is similar to careers like:-
- Chemists
- Agricultural scientists
- Food scientists
- Medical scientists
- Chemical engineers
- Material engineers
- Physicists
- Science technicians
Remuneration:-
In the career as material scientists the annual salary of an entry level material scientist is decent. But the salary also depends on the type of work, employer and the experience. The median annual salary for a material scientist in a Federal executive branch is excellent as compared to other industries. The scientific research and development services also pay well for a material scientist job. The other industries that pay good are pharmaceutical, chemical and medicine manufacturing companies.
The average annual salaries for material scientists are 28% higher than the average salary of other occupations in general.
Job Progress:-
In the starting of the career as material scientists, they work as entry- level or junior scientists. They work under senior scientists for research and development work. They usually perform quality control and testing work in government agencies and private corporations. With years of experience, material scientists may become senior scientist. Some of them with managerial skills may become managers. The managers mostly prepare budgets and schedules for the research activities.
Employment forecast:-
Career as material scientists is expected to grow as fast as the average of all occupations.
- The demand for material scientist jobs will continue to grow as the manufacturers of different products find important to improve the quality of materials used to form their product.
- The demand for material scientists will be more in companies whose products are made up of metals, ceramics, and rubber.
- Employment is expected to grow in manufacturing industries that produce chemicals, plastic, synthetic materials, soaps, drugs, pesticides and fertilizers, paint, industrial organic materials and other chemical products.
- Those with a Ph.D. or master's degree have a scope in teaching at engineering and science institutes.
- The importance of quality control in manufacturing industry to improve the quality of existing products and the need to research new products will increase the demand for career as material scientists in coming years.