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$29.5K

$95.3K

$155K

How much do material science research jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science research in the United States is $95,315.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical projects or responsibilities for professionals in Material Science Research roles?

Material Science Researchers often work on projects that involve designing, synthesizing, and characterizing new materials or improving the properties of existing materials for applications in industries like aerospace, electronics, energy, or healthcare. Daily responsibilities may include planning and conducting experiments, analyzing test results, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and preparing technical reports or publications. Depending on the organization, you might also contribute to patent filings, prototype development, or scaling up processes for manufacturing. This role offers variety and intellectual challenge, as each project can present unique scientific puzzles and opportunities for innovation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Material Science Research position, and why are they important?

A career in Material Science Research requires a solid background in physics, chemistry, and engineering principles, typically supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in materials science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instruments, analytical software (such as SEM, TEM, XRD), and data analysis tools is essential, and professional certifications can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, teamwork, and effective written and verbal communication help researchers thrive in multidisciplinary environments. These skills are vital for conducting rigorous investigations, interpreting complex data, and driving innovation in material development and applications.

What is a Material Science Research job?

A Material Science Research job involves studying and developing new materials or improving existing ones for various applications. Researchers analyze the structure, properties, and performance of materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. They work in industries like aerospace, electronics, energy, and healthcare to enhance material efficiency, durability, and sustainability. This role often includes laboratory experiments, computational modeling, and collaboration with engineers and scientists to develop innovative solutions.

More about Material Science Research jobs
What cities are hiring for Material Science Research jobs? Cities with the most Material Science Research job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Material Science Research jobs? The most popular types of Material Science Research jobs are:
What states have the most Material Science Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Material Science Research jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Material Science Research jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Material Science Research jobs are:
Material Science Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Material Science Research job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,315 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

AI Residency Program, Material Science (2026 Cohort)

Lila Sciences

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

AI Resident - 2026 Cohort
The AI Residency Program is a full-time research opportunity designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industry applications in AI for materials science. Residents will work closely with Lila scientists and engineers on high-impact, open-science projects, with the option to focus on either fundamental or applied research.
  • Duration: 6-12 months (extension possible)
  • Start Dates: First hires beginning January 2026, with rolling applications and additional intakes in Summer and Fall 2026
  • Cohort Size: Small group of selected residents
  • Mentorship: Pairing with technical mentors, feedback from cross-functional teams
  • Resources: Access to proprietary datasets, high-performance compute, and Lila's research infrastructure

Research areas include ML-accelerated simulations, Bayesian methods, representation learning, generative models, agentic science, and ML-driven automation.
Application Requirement:
Please submit your resume alongside a research proposal (up to 3 pages, unlimited references) outlining the project you would plan to pursue during your residency at Lila Sciences. Please submit your research proposal as your cover letter. Applications without both documents will not be considered. Optional supporting materials (e.g., recommendation letters, publications, research artifacts) may also be included.
Your Impact at Lila
The Lila Sciences AI Residency is a full-time research program at the intersection of artificial intelligence and materials science. As a resident, you'll join a cohort of researchers tackling open-ended scientific challenges alongside Lila's world-class team of scientists and engineers. With access to proprietary datasets, high-performance compute infrastructure, and experienced mentors, you'll pursue ambitious research projects with both academic and real-world impact. Publishing is encouraged but not required - what matters most is pushing the frontier of scientific discovery.
What You'll Be Building
  • Design and execute independent research projects in AI for materials science
  • Collaborate with Lila scientists and engineers on cutting-edge, open-science initiatives
  • Explore domains such as ML-accelerated simulations, Bayesian methods, representation learning, generative AI, agentic science, and ML-driven automation
  • Contribute to collaborative team research and co-develop novel approaches to scientific discovery
  • Share findings internally and externally; publications are welcome but not mandatory

What You'll Need to Succeed
  • Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, AI/ML, Physics, Mathematics, or related field (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD)
  • Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch)
  • Experience working with large-scale datasets or simulations
  • Familiarity with modern AI/ML architectures and training techniques
  • Strong research background, demonstrated through publications, thesis work, or open-source projects

Bonus Points For
  • Prior work on ML applications in scientific domains (e.g., materials discovery, chemistry, simulations)
  • Familiarity with Bayesian optimization, active learning, or generative models
  • Experience in reinforcement learning or agent-based approaches to scientific reasoning
  • Open-source contributions or collaborative research experience
  • Strong communication and writing skills, especially for conveying complex scientific ideas

About LILA
Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves.
LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy. Learn more at www.lila.ai.
Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.
We're All In
Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.
Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.
A Note to Agencies
Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science's internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

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