Also called: Materials Informatics Scientist
Uses supercomputers and AI to design new materials before they are made.
You simulate thousands of possible materials to find one that conducts heat, stores hydrogen, or resists corrosion, and send the best candidates to lab teams.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in materials science, physics, or chemistry with strong coding.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Materials Science & Engineering, Physics, Computer Science.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Growth is for chemists and materials scientists overall.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI models now screen millions of materials far faster than classic simulation; fewer specialists needed.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP Calculus BC.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2032.
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