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Phd Materials Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Phd Materials Science information

See California salary details

$52.3K

$122.3K

$170.7K

How much do phd materials science jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd materials science in California is $122,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,300.00 and $164,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD in materials science?

A PhD in Materials Science is an advanced research degree focused on the study of the properties, structure, performance, and applications of materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. Students in this program conduct original research to develop new materials or improve existing ones for use in various industries, including electronics, aerospace, energy, and healthcare. Graduates often pursue careers in academia, research institutions, or industry, where they contribute to innovations in technology and manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD in materials science?

To thrive as a PhD in Materials Science, you need advanced knowledge in physics, chemistry, and engineering principles, along with a doctoral degree in the field. Expertise in analytical techniques (like SEM, TEM, XRD), materials characterization tools, and proficiency in scientific programming or data analysis software are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective scientific communication help researchers excel and drive innovation. These skills enable the development of new materials and technologies, essential for progress across industries such as electronics, energy, and manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced by PhD holders in materials science when transitioning from academia to industry roles?

PhD holders in Materials Science may encounter challenges such as adapting to faster-paced project timelines, learning to prioritize commercially viable outcomes over purely theoretical research, and collaborating with cross-functional teams from engineering, manufacturing, and business. Industry roles often require clear communication of complex findings to non-specialists and adjusting to structured project management systems. However, these challenges also offer opportunities for professional growth, broader impact, and the chance to see research translated into real-world products.

What is the difference between Phd Materials Science vs Materials Engineer?

AspectPhd Materials ScienceMaterials Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Materials Science or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science or Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsManufacturing, product development, industry labs
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, advanced R&DManufacturers, aerospace, automotive, electronics
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic vs industry roles, research focusPractical application, product development, industry roles

The main difference between Phd Materials Science and Materials Engineer lies in their focus and work environment. PhD holders typically engage in research, academia, and advanced R&D, while Materials Engineers focus on applying materials knowledge in manufacturing and product development within industry settings.

What are popular job titles related to Phd Materials Science jobs in California?

For Phd Materials Science jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Phd Materials Science jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Phd Materials Science jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Phd Materials Science jobs?

Cities in California with the most Phd Materials Science job openings:

Phd Materials Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Phd Materials Science job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,350 per year, or $58.8 per hour.

Materials Science Ai Engineer

Tranzeal Incorporated

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Tranzeal Incorporated is a company focused on materials science and AI applications. They are seeking a Materials Science AI Engineer to design, develop, and deploy AI and ML models to address material physics challenges and enhance materials informatics initiatives.
Responsibilities:
• Design, develop and deploy multi-modal AI, ML, and hybrid physical-based models to solve ground-breaking material physics and design problems.
• Aggregate, process, transform and quality-control experimental and simulation data for modeling and analysis.
• Design, develop, and maintain data workflows to support materials informatics initiatives. Optimize data pipelines and model execution on parallel cloud systems (e.g., Azure, GCP, AWS).
• Collaborate with materials scientists, chemists, and software engineers to integrate analytics and predictive modeling into core R&D workflows.
• Document code, workflows, and best practices to support reproducible research.
• Apply AI and data analytics to optimize material synthesis and processing parameters in real-time, minimizing defects, improving consistency.
Qualifications:
Required:
• PhD (Material Science or Machine learning preferred)
• Strong proficiency in programming languages like Python and C++.
• Experience with machine learning and deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Experience with data cleansing, preprocessing, and feature engineering
Preferred:
• Design, develop and deploy multi-modal AI, ML, and hybrid physical-based models to solve ground-breaking material physics and design problems
Company:
Tranzeal is an industry leading global Business Transformation Service Provider. Founded in , the company is headquartered in San Jose, USA, with a team of 201-500 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.
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About Tranzeal

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Tranzeal is an industry leading global Business Transformation Service Provider. We offer specific consulting services as well as pre-packaged, industry specific solutions and services to companies around the world. Since our foundation, Tranzeal has evolved from a small start up company to a mid market player dedicated to providing solutions and services to SMB and large enterprise customers. Our Consulting Services are dedicated to helping our Clients maximize their investments in IT and the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the business. Tranzeal has built its center of competency in Enterprise Resource Planning, Business Intelligence, Supply Chain Management, Customer Resource Management and Information Integration solutions, as well as specific Service orientated offerings such as Test, Quality Assurance and Data Management.

Industry

Business management consulting

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Social media

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