JOB REPORT / 19-2032 · 16 TASKS

Materials Scientists.

Can AI do the work of Materials Scientists?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

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How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Write research papers for publication in scientific journals
Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials…
Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Materials Scientists work. It covers the 14 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

14 of 16 tasks reviewed

This job has 16 core tasks. We went through 14 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Materials Scientists actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Write research papers for publication in scientific journals.
AI DOES
Drafts literature reviews, cleans up writing, suggests citations, and formats sections
YOU DO
Supply the original experiments, data interpretation, and scientific insight that make the paper worth publishing
TASK 02
Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
AI DOES
Searches research papers, summarizes processing methods, and flags relevant studies on firing temperatures and forming techniques
YOU DO
Design novel experiments and judge which material trade-offs matter most for the real product
TASK 03
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.
AI DOES
Searches research papers, spots patterns in material data, and drafts hypotheses or experiment plans
YOU DO
Design novel experiments, handle physical samples, and judge which findings truly matter for new products
TASK 04
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.
AI DOES
Searches research databases, predicts material properties using models, and suggests possible combinations based on existing data
YOU DO
Design novel experiments, judge which ideas are worth testing, and verify results through hands-on lab work
TASK 05
Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
AI DOES
Searches materials databases, ranks candidates by property matches, and flags known failure modes
YOU DO
Apply physical intuition, weigh untested edge cases, and own the final recommendation
TASK 06
Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials.
AI DOES
Searches research databases, summarizes existing test standards, and drafts initial testing frameworks based on material type and conditions
YOU DO
Judge whether a proposed test actually captures real-world conditions and invent new approaches when no standard exists
TASK 07
Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
AI DOES
Searches research literature, drafts experiment plans, and suggests test parameters based on known material science data
YOU DO
Apply hands-on lab expertise and judgment to refine, prioritize, and safely execute novel experiment designs
TASK 08
Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget.
AI DOES
Monitors sensor data, flags spec deviations, and tracks budget and timeline progress in real time
YOU DO
Stay on the floor to make fast calls, read team dynamics, and handle unexpected equipment or safety issues
TASK 09
Teach in colleges and universities.
AI DOES
Drafts lecture notes, quizzes, and explanations of complex materials science topics
YOU DO
Show up, build trust, and read the room with real students
TASK 10
Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
AI DOES
Analyzes test results, compares data to safety standards, and flags out-of-spec readings
YOU DO
Handle physical samples, run lab equipment, and make final safety calls
TASK 11SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
AI DOES
Drafts sections and formats technical content
YOU DO
Shape the story and ensure accuracy
About this analysis
44% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 12SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.
AI DOES
Suggests product options based on customer data
YOU DO
Listen deeply and build real trust
About this analysis
24% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 13SOURCE-BACKED TASK
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.
AI DOES
Runs simulations and processes experimental data
YOU DO
Design experiments and interpret results
About this analysis
16% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 14SOURCE-BACKED TASK
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.
AI DOES
Analyzes test data and suggests patterns
YOU DO
Set up tests and judge what results mean
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Materials Scientists
SOC code: 19-2032
Tasks reviewed: 14 of 16

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $117,790 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $117,290 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 8,470
Employed in Colorado: 370
Job outlook: +4.9% by 2034 · ~600 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Write research papers for publication in scientific journals.

Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.

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.

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.

Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.

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 with special characteristics.

Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget.

Teach in colleges and universities.

Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.

Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.

Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.

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.

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.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.