CAREER GUIDE FOR MATERIAL SCIENTIST

SOC Code: 19-2032

Pay Band(s): 4, 5 and 6 (Salary Structure)

Standard Occupational Description: 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.

Material Scientist positions in the Commonwealth are assigned to the following Roles in the Life and Physical Science Career Group:

Scientist I

Scientist II

Scientist III

While Material Scientists within the Commonwealth are all located within the Life and Physical Science Career Group, individuals may want to pursue other opportunities within the Commonwealth depending upon individual training, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and interests.

Other Career Group(s) that may be of interest are:

Laboratory and Research Technicians and Specialists

Environmental Services

Education Administration

Program Administration

Training and Instruction

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND TASKS

(Technical and Functional Expertise)

Skills
Note: The technical and functional skills listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Material Scientists commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the skills listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Knowledge
Note: The technical and functional knowledge statements listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Material Scientists commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the knowledge listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.

The Knowledge of:

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.
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.
Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Abilities
Note: The technical and functional abilities listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Material Scientists commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the abilities listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.

The Ability to:

Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Tasks
Note: The following is a list of sample tasks typically performed by Material Scientists. Employees in this occupation will not necessarily perform all of the tasks listed.

Tasks

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.
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.

INTERESTED?

Like people, occupations have traits or characteristics. These characteristics give important clues about the nature of the work and work environment, and give you an opportunity to match your own personal interests to a specific occupation. When you choose a job in an occupation that matches your own interests you have taken an important step in planning a successful and rewarding career.

The occupation of Material Scientist has Investigative and Realistic characteristics as described below:

Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

LICENSURE, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Generally this is not required for Material Scientist positions in state government.

EDUCATIONAL, TRAINING, AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Labor provides the following information:

Everything in the environment, whether naturally occurring or of human design, is composed of chemicals. Material Scientists search for and use new knowledge about chemicals.

Materials scientists research and study the structures and chemical properties of various materials to develop new products or enhance existing ones. They also determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials for use in a variety of products. Materials science encompasses the natural and synthetic materials used in a wide range of products and structures, from airplanes, cars, and bridges to clothing and household goods.

Chemistry plays an increasingly dominant role in materials science, because it provides information about the structure and composition of materials. Materials scientists often specialize in specific areas such as ceramics or metals.

While some materials scientists hold a degree in materials science, a bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, or electric engineering also is accepted. Similar to chemists, many R&D jobs require a Ph.D. in materials science or a related science.

The State Council of Higher Education lists the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech as the two Virginia educational institutions offering programs in materials science.

COMMONWEALTH COMPETENCIES

Competencies are a set of identified behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities that directly and positively impact the success of employees and the organization. Competencies can be observed and measured. When consistently demonstrated, competencies make employees particularly effective in their work. Competencies help lay out a road map to career success. You can use the Commonwealth Competencies to help improve your individual performance by adopting behaviors that make high performing employees successful in their jobs. In this way, you can use the Commonwealth Competencies for your further professional development.

The Commonwealth Competencies are:

Technical and Functional Expertise
Understanding the Business
Achieving Results
Serving the Customer
Teamwork
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Leadership and Personal Effectiveness

The above competencies may be applied to employees throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. They can be rank-ordered by agencies and hiring managers to represent the needs of a specific job. The rank ordering will change depending upon the occupation, an organization's priorities, the actual job requirements, and the supervisor's preferences.

Career success is both about what you do (applying your technical knowledge, skills, and ability) and how you do it (the consistent behaviors you demonstrate and choose to use) while interacting and communicating with others. Hopefully, by studying the Commonwealth competencies, identifying your developmental opportunities, and working to refine your own competence, you can take charge of your career!

For additional information about the Commonwealth Competencies go to: http://jobs.state.va.us/cc_planningctr.htm. For the competencies, we first list the competencies and then define each. Finally, we list competency indicators; to describe what successful performance looks like.

COMMONWEALTH CAREER PATH

Career opportunities in the Commonwealth are not limited to moving “up” to the next highest role and pay band, changing positions, or to becoming a supervisor. That's because most roles describe a broad group of occupationally related positions that perform a range of work that requires increased knowledge and skills. For that reason, Commonwealth roles describe the career paths within the same or higher-level role for the same or different Career Group. The broad salary range and the Commonwealth's pay practices provide flexibility in recognizing career development and advancement. (Salary Structure)

For example: Material Scientist

PAY BAND	PRACTITIONER ROLES	PAY BAND	MANAGER ROLES
4	Scientist I
5	Scientist II	5	Scientist Manager I
6	Scientist III	6	Scientist Manager II
		7	Scientist Manager III

Sample Career Path

Scientist I

This Scientist I role provides career tracks for scientists that perform work in a laboratory, in the field, and/or for scientific research. Employees' responsibilities range from entry-level performing standardized scientific tests and research functions using established protocols, to performing independent analysis/studies and serving as technical advisors or lead workers. Employees conduct research, field and/or technical investigations and surveys, laboratory and/or statistical analyses and data interpretation.

Scientist II

This Scientist II role provides career tracks for scientists that perform a preponderance of advanced work and serve as an expert in a laboratory, in the field, and/or for research; or, for scientist supervisors. The first career track in this role is for employees performing complex scientific research projects or program oversight having a broad scope of responsibility. The second career track is for scientists that continue to deliver scientific services while assuming supervision of professional scientific staff and performing administrative responsibilities.

Scientist III

The Scientist III role provides a career track for material scientists or transportation research scientists who serve as advance-level to expert scientists in transportation research (engineering, materials, maintenance, economic development, operational programs, and safety).

Scientist Manager I

The Scientist Manager I role provides career tracks for managers in a laboratory or scientific research setting. Employees plan, manage and evaluate the work of professional staff working in one or more disciplines; establish program goals; establish and monitor budgets; develop and implement technical methodologies, section objectives, policies and practices; allocate staff and resources; ensure compliance with government regulations, quality control standards and safety procedures; prepare research proposals; prepare technical reports and papers or develop grant contract proposals.

Scientist Manager II

The Scientist Manager II role provides career tracks for senior level to director level managers with responsibilities in a laboratory or scientific research setting. Employees have responsibility for an agency-wide laboratory operation; serve as assistant director of a statewide laboratory; or serve as a manager over multiple operations within a statewide laboratory. Some employees direct statewide scientific research operations or multidisciplinary research operations.

Scientist Manager III

The Scientist Manager III role provides career tracks for executives that serve as directors of scientific research centers responsible for diverse research programs or, for a statewide-consolidated scientific laboratory responsible for diverse testing, reporting and research programs. Employees direct statewide research programs and strategic research direction through subordinate managers. The results of which are shared statewide, nationally and/or internationally with research groups, agencies, businesses and associations. Employees may direct a statewide program that provides analytical support to local, state and federal human and animal health, law enforcement, consumer protection and environmental programs.

ADDITIONAL OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

O*NET (Occupational Information Network)

http://online.onetcenter.org/gen_search_page

Virginia Employment Commission

http://www.alex.vec.state.va.us/

Career One Stop

http://www.careeronestop.org/

Virginia Career Resource Network

http://www.vacrn.net/

Professional Organization

Materials Research Society:
http://www.mrs.org/