Materials Science
Materials Science is the meeting point between physics, chemistry and engineering. It has applications in product manufacture, textile design, energy generation, healthcare and nanomaterials, to name a few. Additionally, you can work in sustainability roles, developing environmentally friendly materials and solutions. With your expertise, you are also well-suited for technical consulting, advising on material selection and application, or even pursuing advanced research in academia or industry, driving future technological advancements.
Getting in and getting Experience
Because of the diversity of Materials Science, it can sometimes feel challenging to know where the subject can take you. On the other hand, you will gain a breadth of scientific awareness from the degree, which allows you to cultivate an impressive array of technical and transferable skills. The links below will help you explore your options, and see where you can put those skills into practice.
Many of the professional applications of materials science are tied to the “materials paradigm” – the interplay between a material’s structure, the processing used to make it, and the resulting material properties. These sit alongside the performance of that material, and the methods you can use to analyse it. These different aspects of the subject inform the ways in which it can be used in the workplace. The majority of challenges that new and developing technologies face often boil down to materials science problems.
Research and innovation
Because the development of new materials drives innovation in products and applications, there are institutions which exist to explore the boundaries of innovative material properties. Some of these are academic (based in universities) and may therefore require you to study for a higher degree (Master’s, PhD). Others have partnerships in the private sector, and are likely to employ a range of science, engineering and creative professionals.
- Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (UoM) Centre which helps companies develop and launch new technologies, products and processes that exploit the remarkable properties of graphene and other 2D materials.
- Henry Royce Institute (UoM and beyond) UK national institute for advanced materials research and innovation.
- Materials Innovation Factory (Liverpool) Draws together world-leading research and technologies in materials discovery. An open-access facility with a collection of high-end equipment and automated robotics, which is supported by a team of technical staff.
- Materials Innovation Institute (M2i) - (Netherlands) A network organization specialized in materials research. M2i connects industry, academia and research institutes across The Netherlands and Europe.
- National Nuclear Laboratory UK government owned and operated nuclear services technology provider covering the whole of the nuclear fuel cycle.
- National Composites Centre Independent, open-access technology centre delivering world-class research and development of composites.
Professional Bodies
The Society of Glass Technology (SGT)
The SGT is a specialist body for professionals working with glass and related materials. It offers technical meetings, publications, and networking opportunities for those in the glass industry or research.
The Plastics Industry Association (formerly the British Plastics Federation)
This organisation represents professionals working in the plastics industry, including those involved in polymer materials science. It provides industry insights, networking, and resources related to plastics materials.
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
The UK’s professional body for chemical scientists with a worldwide community. Providing networking opportunities, careers information and membership benefits.
The Institute of Physics (IOP)
The professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland, with an active role in promoting co-operation in physics around the world.
Finding and applying for jobs
- LinkedIn Alumni Tool (Note that you need to be signed into LinkedIn to see this) - Use keywords to find out information about UoM alumni, including companies where UoM Materials Science graduates now work.
- Gradcracker Vacancy site specialising in STEM opportunities, which can be filtered to show Materials Science vacancies.
- National Composites Centre (NCC) Overview of composites within industry and sectors within this.
- Azom UK materials company directory
- Coatings Careers Hub Run by the British Coatings Federation (BCF), the UK’s trade association representing the interests of the decorative, industrial and powder coatings, printing inks and wallcovering manufacturers. The hub brings together career opportunities at member companies of the BCF which includes permanent and temporary vacancies, sandwich and summer placements for students, graduate schemes, and apprenticeships.
- Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) Often lists job opportunities in the materials sector and can provide networking opportunities.
- Polymer jobs A jobs board specifically for the Plastics industry
Next steps
When planning your next steps you may have additional questions or want to explore certain aspects in more detail:
- Equality, diversity and your future career Explore diversity in the workplace and the support available to you.
- Careers meetings To help with planning your career, making decisions and exploring options.
