Overview of the role

Ensuring materials are fit for purpose for a wide range of different industries.

Details of standard

Occupation summary

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.

Typical job titles include:

Development engineer Graduate material scientist Graduate sales exec Materials tester Quality assurance/quality control R&d technologist Technical service specialist

Occupation duties

Duty Criteria for measuring performance KSBs

Duty 1 Provide materials science advice utilising advanced practical, conceptual and technological expertise to key departments such as, but not limited to, innovation, production, and engineering design teams.

Accuracy; comprehensive consideration of risk factors; on budget; on time; consistency; rigor; attention to detail; flexibility of approach according to physical context; attentive to health & safety
and data security; clear and succinct communication.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K17 K18

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S10

B1 B2 B3 B5 B7 B9 B10 B11

Duty 2 Research, design, and optimise innovative processes to reduce costs and environmental impact as well as iterating novel products for new market opportunities and societal demands and needs.

Attention to detail; thorough research methodologies; comprehensive understanding of key markets; high level verbal and written communication attributes: able to converse clearly and fluently; able to undertake presentations; able to write concisely and accurately

K1 K2 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K13 K15 K17 K18

S2 S5 S6 S8

B1 B4 B7 B8

Duty 3 Innovate and/or translate materials science R&D into the production of new products and analyse and evaluate suitability of design concepts for production.

Generates multiple new ideas and novel practices; objective; skilled in praxis; shows successful collaborative mind-set; target driven

K1 K4 K5 K6 K7 K9 K10 K11 K12 K14 K15 K17 K18

S1 S2 S3 S5 S6 S7 S8

B2 B3 B4 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11

Duty 4 Conduct rigorous analyses and report on materials failure in engineering components from test or in the field.

Attention to detail; thorough research methodologies; accuracy; dedication; rigour; clear and precise
accounting of work

K1 K10 K11 K12 K14 K15 K17

S2 S3 S4 S5 S7 S10

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11

Duty 5 Solve internal and external materials production problems utilising experiential or innovative solutions.

High level verbal and written communication skills; tenacity; consistency; accuracy; collaborative mind-set; customer focus

K1 K2 K4 K5 K6 K7 K10 K11 K12 K14 K17

S1 S2 S3 S4 S7

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11

Duty 6 Develop strategic national and international partnerships with key materials supply chains, HEIs, Government Agencies, and commercial clients.

High level of written and verbal communication skills; emotional intelligence; collaborative mind-set; comprehensive understanding of market forces and of profit margins

K1 K3 K8 K9 K13 K16

S7 S8 S9

B1 B2 B3 B4 B7 B8 B11

Duty 7 Utilise detailed product formulations and characterisations in production process and maintain formulation and costing databases.

Attention to detail; accuracy; on budget; on time; high level IT attributes such as data analysis and
illustrated report writing and costing

K1 K2 K3 K7 K9 K10 K11

S1 S2 S3 S6 S7

B5 B7 B8 B11

Duty 8 Seek out and discourse with customers, acquiring new sales by understanding their requirements and advising on appropriate solutions and products based on technical performance specifications related to material performance.

Customer focus; acquisition of multiple new sales; written and verbal communication skills; comprehensive understanding of market forces; understanding of profit and loss

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K17 K18

S1 S3 S5 S7 S8

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B8 B11

Duty 9 Design testing regimes for materials performance evaluations of new and existing products and be responsible for maintaining development of materials, products and manufacturing infrastructures and resources within their area of responsibility.

Full cognisance in contemporary research and testing methodologies; accuracy; attention to detail; methodical; iteration of more than one new product

K1 K2 K4 K5 K6 K7 K9 K10 K11 K12 K14 K15 K17

S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7

B1 B5 B6 B7 B8 B10 B11

Duty 10 Manage and motivate personnel and maintain efficient administration, effective lab practices, and address Health & Safety procedures at all times.

Emotionally intelligent; attentive to detail; rigorous; high level written and verbal communication; safety record at least equal to standard company levels

K3 K13 K15 K16 K17

S2 S5 S9

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B9 B10 B11

Duty 11 Analyse and utilise data to create accurate reports whilst maintaining data hygiene, security, and being mindful of GDPR.

Accurate; attention to detail; precise; responsible; methodical; compliance with company targets

K3 K7 K8 K9 K13 K15

S2 S3 S5 S7

B2 B8 B11

Duty 12 Consistently progress projects to completion on time and on budget.

Accurate; attention to detail; precise; responsible; methodical; drive; tenacity; on time; on budget;
target driven

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S7 S8 S9

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: 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. Back to Duty

K2: 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. Back to Duty

K3: 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. Back to Duty

K4: Current design and production of composite materials and additive manufacturing with the ability to engage with and evaluate complex theories and processes. Back to Duty

K5: Bonding technologies utilising, for example, metals, ceramics, polymers, rubbers and glasses and full understanding of positive and negative interactions between materials. Back to Duty

K6: Material component forming methods and how these contribute to effective production methods, problem solving innovations, and novel product development. Back to Duty

K7: Practical, conceptual, and technological knowledge of thermodynamics; structural chemistry; solid state chemistry; rheology; micro structures; analytical chemistry; organic chemistry; inorganic chemistry. Back to Duty

K8: Intellectual property rights issues and the implications and importance of patent, non-disclosure issues, and GDPR regulations. Back to Duty

K9: 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. Back to Duty

K10: 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. Back to Duty

K11: How engineering materials are manufactured and processed including understanding of UK and international materials standards, procedures and specifications across a range of operations and contexts. Back to Duty

K12: 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. Back to Duty

K13: Systematic approaches to cost benefit analysis, including contextual financial understanding using industry standard metrics. Awareness of marketplace dynamics. Back to Duty

K14: How IT and emerging digital technologies such as 3D printing can be applied to enhance materials science work practices. Back to Duty

K15: 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. Back to Duty

K16: Management techniques and theories, including problem solving methodologies, effective decision making, delegation and planning methods, time management, organisational awareness, motivational techniques, and conflict resolution. Back to Duty

K17: Relevant materials science Health & Safety legislative and regulatory requirements relating to employees and clients in an industrial, laboratory, and/or field setting Back to Duty

K18: Up-to-date ethical and environmental impact of materials science applications and innovations. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: 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. Back to Duty

S2: 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. Back to Duty

S3: Critically evaluate actions, methodologies, and results and their implications in analysing materials against parameters in product specifications. Back to Duty

S4: 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. Back to Duty

S5: Write clear and succinct technical and analytical reports. Back to Duty

S6: Research, adapt and test new technologies through materials characterisation feedback. Back to Duty

S7: Interpret, develop and implement UK and international materials standards, procedures and specifications across a range of operations and contexts. Back to Duty

S8: Maintain a working knowledge of a range of project management and financial management techniques to complete projects relevant to their discipline. Back to Duty

S9: 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. Back to Duty

S10: Communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language register both verbally and in writing. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Self-starter committed to continuing professional and personal development, refreshing and expanding knowledge of materials science and technology through a variety of methods. Back to Duty

B2: Clear and concise communicator – influence with integrity and exercise judgement. Back to Duty

B3: Respond to others’ feelings with emotional intelligence and take responsibility for work areas, people, and resources within their remit. Back to Duty

B4: Demonstrate personal and professional commitment to enhance the reputation of employer and the profession through interaction with internal and external customers alike. Back to Duty

B5: Results orientated – thoughtful and methodical planner, delivering successful outcomes utilising results and feedback in future activities. Back to Duty

B6: Anticipate situations and problems, finds appropriate contemporary solutions and grasps opportunities. Back to Duty

B7: Collaborative – team player, and leader when appropriate, who works with a range of stakeholders to achieve goals. Back to Duty

B8: Recognise interdependencies and combine commercial and technical sensibility to assist employer/client in capitalising on opportunities exercising broad autonomy and refined judgement. Back to Duty

B9: Take personal responsibility to initiate and lead tasks, manage time and resources. Back to Duty

B10: Health and safety conscious at all times – strict adherence to regulations, incorporating up-to-date knowledge into planning. Back to Duty

B11: Data hygienic and security sensitive when handling employer or client data. Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths

Other mandatory qualifications

High Level Qualification

Degree in Materials

Level: 6 (non-integrated degree)

Professional recognition

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

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


Additional details

Occupational Level:

6

Duration (months):

48

Review

Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
Level: 6
Degree: non-integrated degree
Reference: ST0675
Version: 1.0
Date updated: 03/07/2019
Approved for delivery: 3 July 2019
Route: Engineering and manufacturing
Typical duration to gateway: 48 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £24000
LARS Code: 477
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: Mantec Technical Ceramics Ltd, Bostik Ltd, MAGDEV Ltd, Johnson Matthey, Knowles (UK) Limited, Keeling & Walker Ltd, Steelite International Ltd, Indestructible Paint Ltd, Naylor Industries plc, Arconic Manufacturing (GB) Ltd, Coorstek Crewe Limited, Prince Minerals Limited, Trelleborg AVS, Johnson Tiles, Wade Ceramics, Global Ceramic Materials Limited, Victrex PLC, Prince Minerals Limited, Cape Plc, Forterra, F P McCann Ltd, Caterpillar, Norcros Adhesives, Fenner Precision, James Kent Group, Fairey Industrial Ceramics Ltd, Synthomer Plc, Gates Power Transmission, Dupre Minerals, AstraZeneca, Furlong Mills Ltd, A&M EDM Limited, TA Instruments, Imerys Fused Minerals Hull Limited, Ibstock PLC, Chemquip Ltd, Pilkington UK Ltd (NSG Group), Exova, Lagan Brick, Denby Pottery Co Ltd, Foseco International Ltd

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.0 Approved for delivery 03/07/2019 Not set

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