Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Materials Scientist
What materials scientists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a materials scientist?
Synthesize a polymer. From there, the day usually includes synthesize materials, characterize structure, and test properties. Full-time hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a materials scientist working full time.
- Synthesize a polymer.
- Run XRD.
- Image samples on SEM.
- Group meeting.
- Test battery cells.
- Analyze data.
- Write a report.
Where materials scientists work
Materials scientists work in labs at companies, national labs and universities.
Hours and schedule
Full-time hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Synthesize materials
- Characterize structure
- Test properties
- Analyze data
- Write papers
- Work with engineers
- Scale up processes
Tools you’ll use every day
- XRD
- SEM and TEM
- DSC and TGA
- Spectroscopy
- Glove boxes
- Python
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- High pay
- Cutting-edge research
- Many applications
What’s hard
- Lab-heavy
- Slow progress
- Advanced degree for research
- Funding pressure
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like chemistry and physics
- I love lab work
- I’m curious
- I’m persistent
- I want cutting-edge work
- I want high pay
Not sure? Take the free Materials Scientist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow chemical safety
- Follow nanomaterial handling rules
- Use glove boxes properly
- Follow radiation safety