Materials Scientists
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.
AI Impact Summary
Materials Scientists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 34/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 63% of all analyzed occupations. Of 16 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Materials Scientists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Design Patterns in C# and .NET
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
16 tasks analyzed
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, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
Perform experiments and computer modeling to study the nature, structure, and physical and chemical properties of metals and their alloys, and their responses to applied forces.
Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
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.
Teach in colleges and universities.
Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials.
Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.
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.
Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget.
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.
Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
Visit suppliers of materials or users of products to gather specific information.
Write research papers for publication in scientific journals.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 15% | |
| Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers. | 47.48Observed | 68.2% | 8% | |
| Perform experiments and computer modeling to study the nature, structure, and physical and chemical properties of metals and their alloys, and their responses to applied forces. | 57.93Observed | 50.2% | 12% | |
| Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 8% | |
| 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. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 8% | |
| Teach in colleges and universities. | 59.38Observed | 38.8% | 5% | |
| Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs. | 46.85Observed | 33.7% | 4% | |
| Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 4% | |
| Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 5% | |
| Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 5% | |
| 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. | 51.73Observed | 69.9% | 5% | |
| Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 4% | |
| Visit suppliers of materials or users of products to gather specific information. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 2% | |
| Write research papers for publication in scientific journals. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 5% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 31.5%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$104,160
per year
Mean Wage
$111,410
per year
Employment
8K
workers
Wage Range
$61,460 - $168,500
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Alternate Career Paths
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Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
35%Median salary: $86,220
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Chief Executives
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General and Operations Managers
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Advertising and Promotions Managers
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Computer and Information Systems Managers
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Materials Scientists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change