Also called: Instrument Scientist (Neutron Source), Beamline Scientist
Runs instruments that fire neutrons at materials to reveal where atoms sit and how they move.
You work at a national user facility like Oak Ridge's Spallation Neutron Source. Visiting scientists from around the world bring samples, from battery parts to proteins, and you help them run experiments around the clock.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in physics, chemistry, or materials science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry.
Growing about average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds data reduction; helping visiting scientists run round-the-clock experiments stays human.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2012.
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