Materials science technologist

Occupation overview

The Materials Science Technologist occupation is at the forefront materials innovation in the Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical, Engineering, Construction, and Manufacturing industries across numerous sectors including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, defence, and energy, mechanical, civil and chemical engineering, material failure, rheology, adhesives, polymers, traditional and advanced ceramics.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure materials used in those industries are fit for purpose in terms of product innovation, performance, failure diagnosis, operational management, process and manufacturing, and the positive advancement of materials science, thus enhancing economic and social value today and in the future.

In their daily work, materials technologists will engage in high level activities such as materials testing, novel product development, solving manufacturing issues, laboratory management, team leadership, technological sales, and client management, depending on which of the variety of related businesses their employer is in.

Work involves testing materials used by clients through activities such as investigation, gathering physical evidence, critical analyses, drawing conclusions, and recommending courses of action. Depending on context, technologists may be involved in designing new materials or production processes, combining materials, or additive manufacturing. In addition, they may need to provide technical leadership in the design and development of new material products by choosing correct materials and applications through data derived from analysis in the field or lab for: e.g. body armour for defence, materials for engine parts for aerospace, commercial vehicles or high performance cars, materials for new developments in battery design/manufacture, or coatings and additives for healthcare applications such as dental work, or materials for replacement bones or prosthetics.

This employee will participate in internal/external project teams, provide management and leadership of direct report personnel as well as cross-functional teams in addition to liaising with clients in a sales role or providing technical consultancy, proof of concept, or scale-up initiatives. Work will be on projects in the lab, office, onsite, or in the field in local, regional, national or global contexts.

In addition, they may be expected to acquire and develop new business and manage an existing client base comprising of individuals, SMEs, larger national companies, government agencies, and multinational organisations.

Skills

Utilise cognitive and practical skills in conjunction with adaptability and versatility in technical support both in-house and to clients to improve manufacturing processes, problem solving, innovation, and scale up formulations.
Determine and use industry standard and emerging digital technologies and data analysis tools to complete work activities and address problems that are ill defined or involve numerous interacting factors.
Critically evaluate actions, methodologies, and results and their implications in analysing materials against parameters in product specifications.
Conduct and interpret failure analysis of engineering components using relevant methodologies and systems such as but not limited to, for example, microscopy, macroscopy, and chemical analysis.
Write clear and succinct technical and analytical reports.
Research, adapt and test new technologies through materials characterisation feedback.
Interpret, develop and implement UK and international materials standards, procedures and specifications across a range of operations and contexts.
Maintain a working knowledge of a range of project management and financial management techniques to complete projects relevant to their discipline.
Utilise emotional intelligence and identify a range of supervisory, management, and leadership skills in developing the ability to mentor, direct or lead teams or individuals.
Communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language register both verbally and in writing.

Knowledge

Contemporary chemical and physical properties of materials including: metals, ceramics, polymers, adhesives, glass, construction materials, composites, and new future materials and their key performance properties.
Up-to-date conceptual and practical chemical and physical properties of materials and how these react to testing and synthesis including the chemical composition of a range of materials such as advanced ceramics, metals, glass, polymers, and their structural manipulation and transformation and problems and advances that may arise during change at a microstructural level.
Systems and processes such as, but not limited to, CRM systems, client handling, profit and loss, and planning, in project management, business improvement, proof of concept, and scale up.
Current design and production of composite materials and additive manufacturing with the ability to engage with and evaluate complex theories and processes.
Bonding technologies utilising, for example, metals, ceramics, polymers, rubbers and glasses and full understanding of positive and negative interactions between materials.
Material component forming methods and how these contribute to effective production methods, problem-solving innovations, and novel product development.
Practical, conceptual, and technological knowledge of thermodynamics; structural chemistry; solid-state chemistry; rheology; microstructures; analytical chemistry; organic chemistry; inorganic chemistry.
Intellectual property rights issues and the implications and importance of patent, non-disclosure issues, and GDPR regulations.
Contemporary research and developments in the materials science community in terms of understanding different perspectives, methodologies, and schools of thought as well as the theoretical stances that underpin them.
Materials applications including theories, techniques and relevant calculations to understand related disciplines and be able to work in a collaborative or cross-functional environment in more than one materials context.
How engineering materials are manufactured and processed including an understanding of UK and international materials standards, procedures and specifications across a range of operations and contexts.
How materials fail in terms of fatigue, wear, impairment, corrosion, stresses, cracking, embrittlement, abrasion and cavitation erosion, including risk and mitigation factors. Understanding and ability to conduct failure testing using, for example, microscopy, macroscopy, and chemical analysis.
Systematic approaches to cost-benefit analysis, including contextual financial understanding using industry standard metrics. Awareness of marketplace dynamics.
How IT and emerging digital technologies such as 3D printing can be applied to enhance materials science work practices.
Report writing techniques, including how to synthesise information and write concisely using a formal or neutral language register and vocabulary appropriate to the target reader.
Management techniques and theories, including problem-solving methodologies, effective decision making, delegation and planning methods, time management, organisational awareness, motivational techniques, and conflict resolution.
Relevant materials science Health & Safety legislative and regulatory requirements relating to employees and clients in an industrial, laboratory, and/or field setting
Up-to-date ethical and environmental impact of materials science applications and innovations.

Behaviours

Self-starter committed to continuing professional and personal development, refreshing and expanding knowledge of materials science and technology through a variety of methods.
Clear and concise communicator – influence with integrity and exercise judgement.
Respond to others’ feelings with emotional intelligence and take responsibility for work areas, people, and resources within their remit.
Demonstrate personal and professional commitment to enhancing the reputation of the employer and the profession through interaction with internal and external customers alike.
Results orientated – thoughtful and methodical planner, delivering successful outcomes utilising results and feedback in future activities.
Anticipate situations and problems, finds appropriate contemporary solutions and grasps opportunities.
Collaborative – team player, and leader when appropriate, who works with a range of stakeholders to achieve goals.
Recognise interdependencies and combine commercial and technical sensibility to assist employer/client in capitalising on opportunities exercising broad autonomy and refined judgement.
Take personal responsibility to initiate and lead tasks, manage time and resources.
Health and safety conscious at all times – strict adherence to regulations, incorporating up-to-date knowledge into planning.
Data hygienic and security sensitive when handling employer or client data.

Entry Requirements

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Duration

Duration (months): 48

Professional Qualifications/Recognition

The Institue of Materials, Minerals, and Mining (IOM3) / Associate Member with Incorporated Engineer registration (IEng AIMMM)

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.