NSXNational Skills ExchangeSign in
Back to Framework

Materials Scientists

SOC 19-2032.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers laboratory research, materials testing and failure analysis, product development, technical communication, production oversight, and research leadership within industrial, government, and academic materials science environments at Job Zone 4 preparation level.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Material samples and standard test protocols — execute routine mechanical and physical property tests under direct supervision in a laboratory setting.
  2. Metal specimens under tension, compression, and shear — perform prescribed tolerance tests following established procedures with senior scientist oversight.
  3. Laboratory instruments and analytical software — operate and record data outputs under guidance during materials characterization experiments.
  4. Research literature and technical reports — read and summarize findings on metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics to support ongoing team projects.
  5. Standard spreadsheet and word processing tools — organize experimental data and draft preliminary sections of technical reports as directed.
  6. Material property specifications — compare test results against defined benchmarks for mechanical strength and corrosion resistance with supervisor review.
  7. Laboratory safety protocols and equipment checklists — follow established procedures to ensure compliant and safe handling of materials samples.
  8. Experimental observations and measured data — document findings accurately in laboratory notebooks and electronic databases under researcher direction.
  9. Introductory chemistry and physics principles — apply foundational knowledge to interpret basic material behavior observed during supervised testing.
  10. Team meetings and project briefings — listen actively and ask clarifying questions to build understanding of materials science project goals and methods.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Metals and alloy samples — conduct mechanical strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance tests with limited oversight and interpret results against applicable specifications.
  2. Experimental plans and feasibility protocols — design routine laboratory experiments to evaluate material properties and processing techniques in a production-support environment.
  3. Analytical and scientific software platforms — analyze material characterization data, identify trends, and generate visualizations to support research conclusions.
  4. Technical reports and manuscripts — draft clear, well-structured documents for internal scientists and external sponsors with moderate editorial input.
  5. Material failure investigations — apply deductive and inductive reasoning to determine probable causes of metal failures under tension, compression, or shear loading.
  6. Existing material formulations — adapt composition or processing parameters to improve specific properties such as magnetic response or heat resistance for familiar applications.
  7. Database and query tools — retrieve, filter, and cross-reference materials property data to support product development decisions.
  8. Laboratory experiments in progress — monitor equipment performance, track procedural milestones, and flag deviations from planned protocols to project leads.
  9. Multidisciplinary project teams — communicate materials test findings clearly in both written summaries and verbal presentations to colleagues across engineering and science functions.
  10. New developments in materials science literature — apply active learning strategies to integrate emerging methods and findings into routine laboratory practice.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Research programs on metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics — independently design and execute comprehensive investigations to obtain data supporting new product development or product enhancement.
  2. Complex material failure scenarios — autonomously diagnose root causes by integrating mechanical testing data, microstructural analysis, and environmental exposure history.
  3. Novel material combinations and processing routes — develop and validate approaches for achieving specific properties—such as high strength-to-weight ratios or extreme thermal resistance—for demanding applications.
  4. Material selection recommendations — provide authoritative guidance on optimal materials for reliable performance across varied service environments, including corrosive or high-load conditions.
  5. Full-scope technical manuscripts, proposals, and manuals — author publication-quality documents independently, tailored to audiences ranging from peer scientists to non-technical sponsors.
  6. Laboratory feasibility studies — plan and lead multiphase experiments confirming viability of advanced production techniques, adjusting methods in response to non-routine findings.
  7. Production monitoring responsibilities — oversee manufacturing processes to ensure efficient equipment use, adherence to revised specifications, and on-time, on-budget project delivery.
  8. Cross-functional problem-solving — apply systems evaluation and operations analysis to identify process inefficiencies and recommend evidence-based improvements in materials production.
  9. Advanced analytical and development software environments — leverage modeling, simulation, and data analysis tools to accelerate materials characterization and prediction of performance outcomes.
  10. Junior scientists and technicians — mentor developing staff on experimental design, data interpretation, and technical communication within an R&D or manufacturing context.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational research strategy for materials science — set long-range direction and define priority research areas aligned with business and technology development goals.
  2. Cross-departmental materials development programs — lead multidisciplinary teams spanning research, engineering, and production to deliver breakthrough material solutions at organizational scale.
  3. Enterprise-wide materials selection and qualification standards — establish and govern frameworks ensuring consistent, reliable material performance across all product lines and application environments.
  4. Major technical proposals and funding applications — direct the preparation and presentation of high-stakes documents to executive sponsors, government agencies, and strategic partners.
  5. Organizational capability in analytical methods and scientific software — champion adoption of advanced tools and platforms, setting standards for data quality and computational practice across the function.
  6. Complex resource and budget allocation for laboratory operations — oversee production process monitoring systems and make strategic decisions to optimize efficiency, compliance, and project throughput.
  7. Talent development pipelines in materials science — design and implement mentoring, training, and learning strategies that build organizational expertise from emerging to proficient levels.
  8. External scientific and industry communities — represent the organization at conferences, on standards bodies, and in peer-reviewed publications, shaping field-wide knowledge and practice.
  9. Ambiguous, high-stakes materials challenges — exercise senior judgment and decision-making to evaluate novel risk scenarios, balance competing technical and business trade-offs, and commit to strategic courses of action.
  10. Innovation culture within materials research teams — model intellectual curiosity and systematic rigor, creating an environment where experimentation, evidence-based risk-taking, and continuous learning are organizational norms.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

A 4-level framework describing how a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline. Subscribe for $19.99/mo to read the full framework — or sign in if you have a subscription.

  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library

Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency levels for this occupation. Subscribe to unlock the full Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework across all 1,016 occupations.

Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library
Show O*NET source anchors63 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Analytical Scientist · Applications Scientist · Material Science Engineer · Materials Research Engineer · Materials Scientist · Metal Alloy Scientist · Metallurgical Engineer · Metallurgist · Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist) · Plastics Scientist · Polymer Materials Consultant · Polymer Specialist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Active ListeningScienceCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingWritingSpeakingActive LearningJudgment and Decision MakingMathematicsSystems EvaluationPersuasionOperations AnalysisMonitoringLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationSystems AnalysisTime Management
Knowledge domains
Engineering and TechnologyChemistryPhysicsMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsProduction and ProcessingDesignMechanicalEnglish LanguageEducation and Training
Abilities
Deductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionOral ExpressionInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingCategory FlexibilityNear Vision
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityAttention to DetailInnovationDependabilityAchievement OrientationCautiousness
Technology
Analytical or scientific softwareElectronic mail softwareWeb platform development softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareWord processing softwareDevelopment environment softwareObject or component oriented development software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
  4. 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.
  5. Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
  6. Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
  7. Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
  8. Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget.
CIP education codes
19.090440.100140.100240.1099

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.