Materials Scientists
Official O*NET title: Materials Scientists (19-2032.00)
Also called: applications scientist, materials research engineer, materials scientist, metallurgical engineer, micro electrical/mechanical systems device scientist
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing materials scientists work
6 of 15 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 40%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Write research papers for publication in scientific journals (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Talk with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs (main task) — some recorded AI use
- 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 (main task) — some recorded AI use
- 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 (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures (main task) — no recorded AI use
- 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 (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Supervise and monitor production processes to make sure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Test individual parts and products to make sure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Visit suppliers of materials or users of products to gather specific information (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Teach in colleges and universities — some recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors”. Try the prompt for: “Write research papers for publication in scientific journals”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and materials scientists
Will AI replace materials scientists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 6 of the 15 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 9 of the 16 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which materials scientist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors; write research papers for publication in scientific journals; talk with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.
Which materials scientist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: conduct research on the structures and properties of materials; test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures; 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. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 79% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a materials scientist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Materials Scientists ranks #188 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #25 of 45 in Science & Research.
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