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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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21109.02 – Materials scientists

Materials scientists conduct theoretical and applied research into the properties, composition and production of materials.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Ballistics examiner
  • Materials scientist

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to identify gaps in existing materials or production processes, analyze inefficiencies, test potential improvements and implement solutions that enhance performance, reduce costs and increase sustainability
  • Writing to craft compelling grant proposals to secure funding for research that would advance the understanding of properties, composition and production of materials
  • Categorization Flexibility and Information Ordering to group wide varieties of materials based on their properties, composition and potential applications and to organize information systematically when designing and conducting experiments
  • Inductive Reasoning to draw conclusions from research experiments on the properties, composition and production of materials to make generalizations from known examples and anticipate outcomes in similar but untested situations
  • Attention to Detail to conduct experiments and precisely record observations, noticing subtle differences between materials with very similar properties
  • Knowledge in Geological Resources to understand material properties, to identify and source specific minerals and metals for their research and development projects and to use the best methods to extract, process and refine minerals and metals with increasing emphasis on sustainability

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Conduct research into the properties, composition and production of materials such as ceramics and composite materials.

Additional information

  • Mobility between specializations in this group may be possible with experience.
  • Mobility is possible with experience, to other fields of physical science or to management or regulatory program management.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Architecture and science managers (20011)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

211 – Professional occupations in natural sciences

Minor group

2110 – Physical science professionals

Unit group

21109 – Other professional occupations in physical sciences

Occupational profile

21109.02 – Materials scientists

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.