CompGeo Salary Survey Benchmark Job Summary and Competencies

Material Scientists

The Benchmark Job Description below represents the specific Position Characteristics of the job used in the Salary Survey. Benchmark Job Descriptions should be inspected carefully to review the degree of matching between an organizations' Job and the Salary Survey Benchmark. Matching internal Jobs to Salary Survey Benchmark Jobs should not be done on Job Title alone. A thorough comparison of Salary Survey Benchmark to Internal Job Descriptions is recommended. A good overlap should exist on any comparisons used on critical Job Dimensions and Competencies.
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Engineering/Scientific
Job Family: Scientist, Mathematics
Benchmark Title: Material Scientists
 
Summary Job Description Tasks
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. 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.
 
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.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Engineering/Scientific
Job Family: Scientist, Mathematics
Benchmark Title: Material Scientists
 
Important Knowledge Competencies Competency Description
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.
 
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.
 
English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 
Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 
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.
 
Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 
Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Engineering/Scientific
Job Family: Scientist, Mathematics
Benchmark Title: Material Scientists
 
Important Skill Competencies Competency Description
Science Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
 
Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
 
Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
 
Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to 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.
 
Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
 
Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
 
Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
 
Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
 
Operations Analysis Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
 
Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
 
Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
 
Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
 
Persuasion Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
 
Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
 
Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
 
Systems Evaluation Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Engineering/Scientific
Job Family: Scientist, Mathematics
Benchmark Title: Material Scientists
 
Important Ability Competencies Competency Description
Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
 
Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
 
Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
 
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.
 
Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
 
Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
 
Written Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
 
Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
 
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.
 
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).
 
Category Flexibility The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
 
Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
 
Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
 
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).
 
Mathematical Reasoning The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
 
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.
 
Visualization The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
 
Number Facility The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
 
Perceptual Speed The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
 
Far Vision The ability to see details at a distance.
 
Visual Color Discrimination The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Engineering/Scientific
Job Family: Scientist, Mathematics
Benchmark Title: Material Scientists
 
Tools/Technology Example Product Category
ANSYS LS-DYNA Analytical or scientific software
 
ANSYS Multiphysics Analytical or scientific software
 
Accelrys Materials Studio Analytical or scientific software
 
Advanced Chemistry Development Analytical Laboratory Analytical or scientific software
 
Bruker AXS EVA Analytical or scientific software
 
Bruker AXS LEPTOS Analytical or scientific software
 
Bruker AXS TOPAS Analytical or scientific software
 
Chempute Software HSC Chemistry Analytical or scientific software
 
Dassault Systemes Abaqus Analytical or scientific software
 
ESM Software CrystalMaker Analytical or scientific software
 
Email software Electronic mail software
 
GAMESS-US Analytical or scientific software
 
General Structural Analysis System GSAS Analytical or scientific software
 
International Centre for Diffraction Data ICDD DDView Data base user interface and query software
 
Maplesoft Maple Analytical or scientific software
 
Materials Data Incorporated Jade Analytical or scientific software
 
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software
 
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation software
 
Microsoft Word Word processing software
 
Multichannel microelectrode analyzer MMA software Analytical or scientific software
 
National Instruments LabVIEW Development environment software
 
Olympus analysis software Analytical or scientific software
 
PANalytical X'Pert Data Collector Analytical or scientific software
 
PANalytical X'Pert Epitaxy Analytical or scientific software
 
PWscf Analytical or scientific software
 
RIETAN Analytical or scientific software
 
SolidWorks COSMOSWorks Analytical or scientific software
 
Stewart Computational Chemistry MOPAC Analytical or scientific software
 
The MathWorks MATLAB Analytical or scientific software
 
VAMP/VASP Analytical or scientific software
 
Web browser software Internet browser software
 
Wolfram Research Mathematica Analytical or scientific software
 
Accelerometers Accelerometers
 
Annealing ovens Vacuum ovens
 
Atomic absorption AA spectroscopes Atomic absorption AA spectrometers
 
Atomic force microscopes Scanning probe microscopes
 
Auger electron spectrometers Spectrometers
 
Backscatter detectors Light scattering equipment
 
Ball mills Laboratory mills
 
Ball-on-disk tribometers Wear testers
 
Blungers Laboratory mixers
 
Box furnaces Laboratory box furnaces
 
Capacitance manometers Manometers
 
Capillary rheometers Rheometers
 
Charge-coupled device CCD cameras Photo attachments for microscopes
 
Cold isostatic presses Presses
 
Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers Milling cutters
 
Cone viscometers Viscosimeters
 
Contact angle goniometers Surface tension measuring instruments
 
Creep testing equipment Creep testers
 
Crystal growers Crystal growing equipment
 
Desktop computers Desktop computers
 
Diamond wafering saws Power saws
 
Dielectric spectrometers Spectrometers
 
Differential scanning calorimeters Calorimeters
 
Differential thermal analyzers Thermal differential analyzers
 
Digital oscilloscopes Oscilloscopes
 
Dilatometers Volumeters
 
Double push rod dilatometers Volumeters
 
Dynamic actuators Electronic actuators
 
Dynamic light scattering equipment Light scattering equipment
 
Dynamic mechanical analyzers DMA Thermal differential analyzers
 
Electrode furnaces Laboratory box furnaces
 
Electrolytic etching machines Metal markers or holders
 
Ellipsometers Thickness measuring devices
 
Erosion testers Abrasion testers
 
Extruding machines Extruders
 
Fast tool servos Milling cutters
 
Field emission scanning electron microscopes Scanning electron microscopes
 
Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers Infrared spectrometers
 
Freeze dryers Freeze dryers or lyopholizers
 
Fume hoods Fume hoods or cupboards
 
Function generators Signal generators
 
Gamma ray spectrometers Spectrometers
 
Gas chromatograph mass spectrometers GC-MS Mass spectrometers
 
Glove box systems Isolation glove boxes
 
Grinding spindles Power grinders
 
High vacuum evaporation systems Laboratory evaporators
 
High-speed cutoff saws Power saws
 
High-vacuum manifolds Sampling manifolds
 
Horizontal tube furnaces Tube furnaces
 
Hot isostatic presses Presses
 
Hot mounting presses Hydraulic press frames
 
Hydraulic presses Hydraulic press frames
 
Imaging ellipsometers Thickness measuring devices
 
Impact testers Impact testers
 
Induction furnaces Crucible furnaces
 
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers ICP-MS Inductively coupled plasma ICP spectrometers
 
Industrial computed tomography CT scanners X ray radiography examination equipment
 
Injection molders Injection molding machines
 
Interferometric microscopes Interferometers
 
Ion analyzers Ion selective electrode ISE meters
 
Laboratory analytical balances Analytical balances
 
Laboratory water purification systems Ultra pure water systems
 
Laptop computers Notebook computers
 
Laser interferometers Interferometers
 
Linear variable differential transformers LVDT Linear position sensors
 
Load cells Loadcells
 
Macrohardness testers Hardness testers
 
Manual grinders Grinders
 
Metal evaporation chambers Laboratory evaporators
 
Metallographic microscopes Metallurgical microscopes
 
Microcalorimeters Calorimeters
 
Microscope digital cameras Photo attachments for microscopes
 
Mobile mass spectrometers Mass spectrometers
 
Mossbauer spectroscopes Spectrometers
 
Muffle furnaces Laboratory box furnaces
 
Multisample autoclaves Corrosion testers
 
Nanoscope atomic force microscopes Scanning probe microscopes
 
Neutron reflectometers Reflectometers
 
Nitrogen furnaces Laboratory box furnaces
 
Optical compound microscopes Binocular light compound microscopes
 
Optical profilometers Surface testers
 
Peltier cooled solid-state detectors Radiation detectors
 
Personal computers Personal computers
 
Petrographic microscopes Polarizing microscopes
 
Plasma arc melting furnaces Induction heaters
 
Plate viscometers Viscosimeters
 
Pore sizers Porosimeters
 
Potentiostats Potentiometers
 
Profilometers Surface testers
 
Programmable logic controllers PLC Microcontrollers
 
Pulverizers Laboratory crushers or pulverizers
 
Quartz crystal microbalances Laboratory balances
 
Quartz crystal thickness monitors Thickness measuring devices
 
Raman scattering spectroscopes Spectrometers
 
Reactive ion etchers RIE Semiconductor testers
 
Rotational viscometers Viscosimeters
 
Safety glasses Safety glasses
 
Safety goggles Goggles
 
Salt spray chambers Corrosion testers
 
Scanning Kelvin probes Scanning probe microscopes
 
Scanning electron microscopes SEM Scanning electron microscopes
 
Scanning probe microscopes SPM Scanning probe microscopes
 
Scanning tunneling microscopes STM Scanning probe microscopes
 
Scratch testers Abrasion testers
 
Screw injection molding machines Injection molding machines
 
Secondary ion mass spectrometers SIMS Spectrometers
 
Sedigraphs Particle size measuring apparatus
 
Semi-microbalances Laboratory balances
 
Semiautomatic grinders Power grinders
 
Servohydraulic test machines Fatigue testers
 
Shaker ball mills Laboratory mills
 
Slurry abrasion testers Abrasion testers
 
Sonic modulus testers Ultrasonic examination equipment
 
Spectrofluorimeters Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters
 
Spectrophotometers Spectrophotometers
 
Spectrum analyzers Frequency analyzers
 
Sputter deposition systems Semiconductor process systems
 
Static actuators Electronic actuators
 
Stereo microscopes Stereo or dissecting light microscopes
 
Stylus profilometers Roughness measuring instruments
 
Swaging tools Swaging tools
 
Tape casters Casting machines
 
Thermal gravimetric analyzers Thermo gravimetry analyzers
 
Thermal spray torches Blow torches
 
Theta-theta diffractometers Diffractometers
 
Titanium autoclaves Corrosion testers
 
Transmission electron microscopes TEM Transmission electron microscopes
 
Tube furnaces Tube furnaces
 
UV exposure chambers Wear testers
 
Ultra high temperature furnaces Laboratory box furnaces
 
Ultra microbalances Laboratory balances
 
Ultraprecision lathes Lathes
 
Ultrasonic analyzers Ultrasonic examination equipment
 
Ultrasonic cleaners Ultrasonic cleaning equipment
 
Vibrating sample magnetometers Magnetometer geophysical instruments
 
Vibratory polishers Tumblers or polishers
 
X ray diffractometers X ray diffraction equipment
 
X ray generators X ray generators
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Engineering/Scientific
Job Family: Scientist, Mathematics
Benchmark Title: Material Scientists
 
Prerequisite Qualification Category Education and Experience Level
Required Level of Education Master's Degree
 
On-the-Job Training Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
 
On-Site or In-Plant Training Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
 
Related Work Experience Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
 
On-the-Job Training Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
 
Related Work Experience Over 10 years
 
On-Site or In-Plant Training Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Engineering/Scientific
Job Family: Scientist, Mathematics
Benchmark Title: Material Scientists
 
Alternate Job Title(s)
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 Associate
Research Professor
Research Scientist
Research and Development Scientist (R and D Scientist)
Technology Officer
Textile Technologist
Thin Film Development Engineer
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Engineering/Scientific
Job Family: Scientist, Mathematics
Benchmark Title: Material Scientists
 
 
.
 
CompGeo Professional Salary Survey and Total Compensation Forecast Options
 
Professional Total Compensation Forecast Library
Regional Online Access Subscription Options. Online Salary Survey Forecast Library Subscriptions include Access To All 23 CompGeo Salary Survey Career Occupation Groups covering thousands of Salary Survey Benchmarks with Salary and Compensation Forecasts over a eight year time period - an unmatched feature in the Salary and Compensation Forecast Business Realm.. Direct Pay, Fringe Benefit Costs and Total Compensation Forecasts included. Compensation Forecasts are present for all CompGeo Salary Survey Benchmarks along with Salary Survey Aging Factors for ea ch Projection Date. All Salary Survey Forecast Reports include a Companion Excel Salary Survey Forecast Data Sheet.
 
CompGeo Professional Salary Survey Report and Forecast Samples
CompGeo Salary Survey Report Samples
Samples and Pricing for all CompGeo Online Professional Report and Online Forecast Library Subscription Options.
 
 
 
Copyright © 1995 - 2023 International Compensation Technologies and The Clayton Wallis Company.
All Rights Reserved World Wide ictcw.com
Member, WorldatWork - Formerly American and Canadian Compensation Associations (ACA/CCA)