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Trainee Graduate Materials Science Jobs in Washington

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Trainee Graduate Materials Science information

What does a trainee graduate materials scientist do?

A Trainee Graduate Materials Scientist works under the supervision of experienced scientists and engineers to study and develop materials used in various products and industries. Their tasks often include conducting experiments, analyzing material properties, preparing reports, and assisting in the development of new materials or improving existing ones. This role is typically an entry-level position for recent graduates and provides hands-on training in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and project management. Over time, trainees gain practical experience and knowledge that can lead to more specialized roles within materials science.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a trainee graduate materials scientist expect during their first year?

As a Trainee Graduate in Materials Science, you can expect to work on a variety of projects ranging from material characterization and testing to process optimization and research into new materials. Typically, your responsibilities will include conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing data, preparing technical reports, and collaborating with senior scientists and engineers. You’ll often work within multidisciplinary teams, providing support on ongoing projects and gradually taking on more independent tasks as you gain experience. This period is also a great opportunity to learn about the company’s products, manufacturing processes, and industry standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trainee graduate materials scientist?

To thrive as a Trainee Graduate Materials Scientist, you need a solid grounding in materials science or a related engineering discipline, supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, materials characterization techniques (such as SEM, XRD, or spectroscopy), and software like MATLAB or CAD is commonly expected. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, effective teamwork, and strong communication skills help you excel in collaborative research and problem-solving environments. These skills and qualities are essential for conducting accurate experiments, interpreting data, and contributing to the development of innovative materials solutions.

What is the difference between Trainee Graduate Materials Science vs Junior Materials Engineer?

AspectTrainee Graduate Materials ScienceJunior Materials Engineer
QualificationsTypically recent graduates with a degree in materials science or related fieldBachelor's or master's degree in materials engineering or science, with some practical experience
Work EnvironmentTraining programs, research labs, or entry-level roles in manufacturing or R&DDesign, testing, and analysis in manufacturing plants, labs, or R&D departments
ResponsibilitiesLearning, assisting in projects, data collectionConducting experiments, analyzing materials, supporting engineering projects

While both roles involve materials science knowledge, a Trainee Graduate Materials Science position focuses on training and skill development, whereas a Junior Materials Engineer involves more hands-on engineering tasks and project responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Materials Science jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Graduate Materials Science jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Trainee Graduate Materials Science jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Trainee Graduate Materials Science job openings:

Trainee Graduate Materials Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trainee Graduate Materials Science job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

NIST PREP Research Scientist in Materials Science and Rheology of Complex Polymeric and Composite Ma

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$75K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
Research Title: Materials science and rheology of complex polymeric and composite materials
The work will entail: The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking a Materials Scientist to lead metrology development in rheology, thermal analysis, and structure-property relationships for complex polymeric and composite materials. Candidate will conduct high-level, independent research, translating cutting-edge measurements into industry-relevant metrics, reference methods/materials, and standards.
U.S. Citizen Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Design and execute rheological characterization of complex fluids and soft solids
  • Lead thermal and thermomechanical characterization
  • Characterize and model reactive/curing systems
  • Build structure-property insights through multimodal characterization
  • Author publications and present research to stakeholders

Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Expertise in rheology, including advanced techniques such as orthogonal superposition rheology and large amplitude oscillatory shear rheology.
  • Experience with thermal analysis (DSC and at least one of DMA/TGA/TMA/CTE/thermal conductivity methods), including calibration/validation.
  • Solid background in cure kinetics, chemorheology, and polymer polymer physics.
  • Experience with additive manufacturing (extrusion-based and vat photopolymerization)
  • Strong quantitative/data skills (e.g., Matlab/Python/Origin/JMP) for processing large datasets, fitting models, and producing publication-quality figures.
  • Track record of technical writing (peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, SOPs) and communicating results to mixed audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects, mentor students/postdocs, and coordinate cross-functional collaborations.
  • Ability to work on-site in a laboratory setting in Gaithersburg, MD and meet all safety/training requirements.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate the administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0004199

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