ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Materials Characterization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pennsylvania State University

Analyze characterization and testing data * Create project summaries and write technical reports ... Materials growth/deposition methods (e.g., chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition ...

Coherent

R&D Materials Engineer

Newark, DE · On-site

Perform materials characterization for microstructure, composition, mechanical behavior and thermal properties * Generate PC-based outputs on standard platforms (Office, Agile, Oracle, Cumulus, Creo ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsMaterials Characterization Jobs

Materials Characterization information

See salary details

$9

$22

$31

How much do materials characterization jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for materials characterization in the United States is $22.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $25.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a materials characterization professional?

Professionals in Materials Characterization spend much of their day preparing specimens, operating advanced analytical instruments, and interpreting the resulting data. They may also collaborate with engineers, researchers, or product teams to provide insights that inform material selection, quality control, or product development. Documentation of experimental methods and results, maintaining laboratory equipment, and adhering to safety protocols are key aspects of the role. Additionally, there is often an opportunity to contribute to technical reports, presentations, and cross-functional meetings, making teamwork and clear communication especially important.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in materials characterization?

To excel in Materials Characterization, candidates typically need a background in materials science, chemistry, or physics, along with experience in analytical techniques such as electron microscopy and spectroscopy. Familiarity with instruments like SEM, TEM, XRD, and mastery of data analysis software are essential, and certifications in laboratory safety are often preferred. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills in this position. These competencies are critical for accurate material analysis, troubleshooting experimental issues, and presenting findings to interdisciplinary teams.

What is a materials characterization?

A Materials Characterization job involves analyzing and evaluating the structure, composition, and properties of materials to understand their performance and potential applications. Professionals in this field use techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and diffraction to study materials at the atomic, microscopic, and macroscopic levels. They work in industries like aerospace, electronics, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals to ensure material quality and optimize product performance. This role often requires expertise in materials science, engineering, and analytical techniques.

More about Materials Characterization jobs
What cities are hiring for Materials Characterization jobs? Cities with the most Materials Characterization job openings:
What states have the most Materials Characterization jobs? States with the most job openings for Materials Characterization jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Materials Characterization jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Materials Characterization jobs are:
Materials Characterization jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Characterization job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,181 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Sr. Laboratory Coordinator (Materials Characterization and Processing)

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • On-site

$41K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Johns Hopkins University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 71 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

187th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The Johns Hopkins Materials Characterization and Processing (MCP) facility is seeking a Sr. Laboratory Coordinator to oversee the daily operations of its Sample Preparation Laboratory. The position is responsible for maintaining laboratory equipment and infrastructure, coordinating equipment maintenance and repairs, managing laboratory supplies, supporting users, and ensuring a safe and efficient research environment.
The Sr. Laboratory Coordinator coordinates operations of the laboratory with responsibility for administrative and scientific activities.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
  • Assemble, test, calibrate, clean and/or make minor repairs to equipment including specialized, highly sensitive and unique laboratory equipment requiring specialized knowledge and skill.
  • May help manage staff including recommendations for hiring and performance management.
  • Work independently on experiments of own design and determine set-up to reach end results.
  • Utilize specialized knowledge to interpret results, e.g. read controls, and evaluate results.
  • Contribute to budget preparation and forecasting.
  • Track budget and grant expenditures; ensure appropriate charges and adherence to grant stipulations.
  • Order laboratory animals, unique reagents, and/or other supplies for experiments based on grant guidelines.
  • May design databases to appropriately track results.
  • Perform basic data analysis.
  • Adhere to and monitor environmental health and safety standards and policies.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities
  • Provide technical support and training to MCP staff and users, including faculty, students, and postdoctoral researchers.
  • Assist with laboratory operations, equipment use, and user guidance.
  • Develop and maintain laboratory procedures and documentation.
  • Support continuous improvement of facility operations and user services.
  • Ensure compliance with laboratory safety and operational standards.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
  • Three years of related experience.
  • Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related STEM discipline.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency
  • Budget Management: Developing.
  • Grants and Contracts Management: Developing.
  • Laboratory Equipment Maintenance: Developing.
  • Laboratory Safety: Developing.
  • Procurement: Developing.
  • Scientific Interpretation and Consultation: Awareness.

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Sr. Laboratory Coordinator (Materials Characterization and Processing)
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MB
Starting Salary Range: $41,300 - $72,300 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 37.5 hrs wkly
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Homewood
Department name: MSE Administrative
Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering

What Johns Hopkins University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Johns Hopkins University logo

About Johns Hopkins University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Gilman believed that teaching and research go hand in hand—that success in one depends on success in the other—and that a modern university must do both well. He also believed that sharing our knowledge and discoveries would help make the world a better place. In 145 years, we haven’t strayed from that vision. This is still a destination for excellent, ambitious scholars and a world leader in teaching and research. Distinguished professors mentor students in the arts and music, humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, international studies, education, business, and the health professions. Those same faculty members, along with their colleagues at the university’s Applied Physics Laboratory, have made us the nation’s leader in federal research and development funding every year since 1979. That’s a fitting distinction for America’s first research university, a place that has revolutionized higher education in the U.S. and continues to bring knowledge and discoveries to the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Baltimore, MD, US

Year founded

1876

View All Johns Hopkins University Jobs

Apply