Materials physicist
A materials physicist specializes in studying the structure and behavior of various materials, such as metals, ceramics, and composites, by integrating principles from physics, chemistry, and engineering. Their work often involves conducting experiments and analyzing materials at a microscopic level to innovate and improve products used in everyday life, including electronics, medical devices, and consumer goods. Typically employed in laboratories, research institutions, or industry, materials physicists spend significant time performing experiments, writing reports, and collaborating with other scientists.
To enter the field, a bachelor's degree in physics is essential, while advanced positions usually require a master's or a Ph.D. The educational journey emphasizes strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with practical experience through research opportunities being crucial for career advancement. The demand for materials physicists is expected to grow at a rate faster than average, driven by the need for innovative materials in technology and sustainability efforts. Their contributions are vital in addressing contemporary challenges, including renewable energy solutions, advanced medical technologies, and environmentally friendly materials.
Materials physicist
Earnings (Yearly Median):104,380 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
Employment and Outlook: 6% (Faster than average) 2022-32
O*NET-SOC Code: 19-2032.00
Related Career Clusters: Government & Public Administration; Health Science; Manufacturing; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Scope of Work
Materials physicists work in laboratories, private companies, the high-tech industry, research institutions, and the federal government. Materials physicists combine the field of physics with the principles of chemistry and engineering. They research and analyze the structure and behavior of metals, ceramics, composites, and other materials. Materials physicists work from the bottom up—they study the chemical properties and physical aspects of materials at the microscopic level and use this knowledge to apply these materials to macro-level products and technologies.
Due to the extensive research component of this occupation, much of a material physicist's time is spent experimenting and analyzing material in a laboratory. They record and analyze their findings from these experiments and use this information to create products that benefit society. The materials produced by materials physicists include prosthetics, hard drives, computer software, semiconductors, and everyday consumer goods such as sunscreen.
Education and Coursework
A bachelor's degree in physics is the basic requirement for this occupation, but an advanced degree is needed for research positions. A bachelor's degree will qualify for assistant and technician positions in a materials physics laboratory. A master's degree will qualify for developmental positions in private laboratories and, in some cases, research positions, but this usually only applies to candidates with over ten years of laboratory experience. A Ph.D. is strongly preferred over a master's degree in this profession.
A Ph.D. program in physics takes five to seven years to complete, and a master's degree in materials physics or a related field (e.g., theoretical physics) is often a prerequisite. It is not uncommon for universities to offer joint master's and Ph.D. programs. Ph.D. programs in materials physics are highly competitive, and a candidate must have an excellent academic record and laboratory experience in an educational setting or internship. An applicant must score high on the GRE and the subject test in physics (PGRE). Many doctorate programs look for applicants who have published work and contributed knowledge to the field.
A candidate for a Ph.D. program in materials science must possess superior mathematical, analytical, problem-solving, interpersonal, and critical-thinking skills. A Ph.D. program in physics consists of coursework in mathematics, physics, and chemistry—quantum mechanics, statistical and mathematical physics, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. Courses in computer technology and advanced laboratory classes are also required. To earn a Ph.D., a candidate must pass a comprehensive exam, complete a dissertation (a thesis that presents the results of original research), and successfully defend the dissertation in front of a doctoral committee.
After successfully defending the dissertation and earning a Ph.D., a materials physicist often pursues postdoctoral research. It is not uncommon for an employer to require a candidate for a research position to have extensive experience in a research laboratory. This mandatory research experience can be accomplished as a postdoctoral candidate. During postdoctoral research, physicists work under the supervision of senior scientists for approximately two to three years.
Career Enhancement and Training
A materials physicist does not typically need a license. If the scientist works for the federal government, however, they may need a security clearance if involved in developing confidential defense system technology. Training for a materials physicist includes completing research in a physics laboratory, often accomplished during postdoctoral research. A postdoc lasts approximately two to three years, wherein a team of professionals supervises a physicist. After a year of supervision, a postdoc candidate often performs independent research and prepares for a subsequent career as an independent researcher. Most materials physicists will research a particular material—such as steel, plastic, or ceramic—and specialize in creating and enhancing products using this material.
Having a membership in a professional organization for physicists provides many benefits. The American Physical Society (APS) is an organization that connects over fifty thousand professionals. The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is known for hosting networking opportunities and exhibitions for physicists and other scientists involved in the physics industry. Students also benefit from this organization's one-year free trial membership, which allows them to meet and network with professionals and learn more about innovations in the field. Membership with an organization such as the APS or the AIP is also a solid addition to a résumé—it shows a potential employer or a Ph.D. admissions committee an applicant's commitment to their chosen field.
Daily Tasks and Technology
The daily tasks of materials physicists fall into two categories: laboratory and office work. In the lab, material physicists study materials' chemical structure and behavior and create simulations of these materials using advanced computer software. From exploring the chemical composition of materials, they invent new technology and enhance existing products—from cars, computer chips, plastic, and ceramics to golf clubs and other consumer goods. A materials physicist oversees a laboratory team of technicians and assistants through the research and production process. For a product to be approved, a materials physicist must test the safety and effectiveness of a technology and meet strict governmental safety standards.
After a product is completed and approved for production, materials physicists oversee personnel training in operating the technology and explain the mechanisms and materials involved. They may also supervise the production of these products in a factory or other industrial facility. Additionally, these scientists write reports summarizing and analyzing the results of experiments with the intent of publishing their findings in a scholarly journal, a magazine, and other academic publications. It is not uncommon for materials physicists to work as professors in colleges and universities.
Materials physicists use a variety of technology in the laboratory. An electron microscope, for instance, emits a beam of electrons to generate extremely close-up images of a material. Another technique employed is X-ray scattering, in which X-rays are focused on a material and reveal its unique structure and chemical makeup. Neutron diffraction (or neutron scattering) is another technique used to examine the atomic structure of a material. A materials physicist examines the electromagnetic waves of a material—the light, gamma rays, X-rays, and other forms of radiation—with spectrometers and spectroscopes.
Earnings and Employment Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for materials scientists was expected to grow 6 percent faster than average between 2022 and 2032, while growth in demand for physicists was expected to be higher than average for the same period. The median yearly salary for materials scientists was $81,810 in 2022; the median salary for physicists at that time was $139,220.
The need for materials physicists began increasing in the early twenty-first century due to the importance of inventing new products and enhancing existing products in medical technology, electronic devices, computer software, and many other products. Scientists believe materials physics will grow concurrently with the rapid growth of science and technology. In other words, the materials within a product create advanced technology. Therefore, the importance of materials in the development of future technologies will call for an increase in materials physicists. The popularity of materials physics is also due to its uniting a wide range of scientific disciplines, from chemistry and engineering to polymer science and biophysics.
Related Occupations
• Nanosystems Engineer: Nanosystems engineers work with material on the nanoscale and develop technology from the study of nanoparticles.
• Chemical Engineer: Chemical engineers design manufacturing plants and oversee the chemicals used in production.
• Chemists:Chemists study the properties of chemical substances and develop new technology.
• Mechanical Engineer: Mechanical engineers use physics and materials science to design mechanical systems, such as machines and tools.
• Civil Engineer: Civil engineers oversee the design and configuration of roads, bridges, and other large natural and physical construction projects.
Future Applications
The future of materials physics is expected to impact a wide range of products and industries. NASA physicists and engineers, for example, are researching and manufacturing materials that will produce armor for spacecraft that can repair itself after sustaining damage. In medicine, materials are being developed that will impact tissue engineering—cornea tissue rejuvenation, for example—and enhance the efficiency of implantable structures such as artificial heart valves and orthopedic implants.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has funded the research of materials that will enhance the power of radar and wireless communication devices. They are also using advanced materials to increase the amount of data communication systems can transmit.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) emphasizes the importance of material physics and science in overcoming some of the significant challenges of the twenty-first century, including global warming, the growing need for renewable energy, and the need for clean water. The future of green energy will depend upon the discovery and application of materials that will allow green energy sources—fuel cells and photovoltaic cells (solar power)—to perform optimally and cost-effectively.
Materials physics will apply to green energy and the construction of energy-efficient homes, buildings, and vehicles. In the transportation industry, materials physicists and scientists will work on creating biodegradable and environmentally safe packaging materials capable of distributing food and water to the world's growing population.
Bibliography
"Chemists and Materials Scientists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemists-and-materials-scientists.htm. Accessed 15 Sept. 2023.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 19-2032 Materials Scientists." Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, 25 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes192032.htm. Accessed 15 Sept. 2023.
"Summary Report for: 19-2032.00 - Materials Scientists." O*NET OnLine. National Center for O*NET Development, 29 Aug. 2023, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-2032.00. Accessed 15 Sept. 2023.