Discover Your Potential with a Materials Science Job.

Configuration Manager

Job Title: Configuration Manager Job Reports To: Engineering Director Department: Vehicles Location: Coventry CV6 Core Hours: 08:00-16:35 (Mon – Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri) Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full-time and based onsite with potential hybrid working Salary: £60,000+ (subject to experience) per annum + Discretionary Bonus ​ ​JOB SUMMARY ​​Are you a Configuration Manager looking for a new challenge and the chance to...

N P Aerospace Ltd
Longford, Coventry

Mechanical Design Engineer (Motorsport)

Are you ready to push the boundaries of automotive innovation? We're seeking a highly motivated Mechanical Design Engineer (Motorsport) to join our client's fast-paced, high-performance engineering team. This is a rare opportunity to work on the cutting edge of electric hypercar development—from concept to production. You'll be instrumental in designing mechanical systems that define the future of performance, precision, and...

Evera Recruitment Ltd
Howley

Chemistry Graduate

Opportunity for a science graduate (chemistry, forensic science, environmental science, biochemistry, biology, materials science) to join an award-winning business as a graduate internal sales scientist. Structured Training & Personal Development: Over a two-year period, you'll receive extensive and varied training across the business. Expert mentors will guide you through a personal development plan, giving you structured career progression. Attractive Remuneration...

Sigma Recruitment
Derwen

Software Engineer

Software Engineer – Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Oxford-based Permanent, Full-Time £45,000–£65,000 DOE + Excellent Benefits Join a fast-growing and innovative technology company at the forefront of advanced materials development and next-generation manufacturing. Operating globally across multiple sites, this organisation brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and software developers to solve complex engineering challenges using data-driven methods and cutting-edge...

Cranleigh Scientific
Oxford

Composite Design Engineer

Expleo is a trusted partner for engineering, quality services, and digital transformation. We collaborate with world-leading aerospace manufacturers, delivering cutting-edge solutions in structural analysis, finite element modelling, numerical simulation, and certification support. At Expleo, we foster innovation, technical excellence, and professional growth, empowering our teams to shape the future of aerospace engineering. We are looking for a technically skilled and...

Expleo UK LTD
Bristol

Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer Salary dependent on experience Monday to Friday – 40 hours per week Bradford BD12 West Yorkshire – must live within a commutable distance to Bradford Job Purpose Reporting to the Quality Manager the Quality Engineer will manage and improve the performance of the site production and quality system by supporting the Quality Manager in accordance with the annual...

Equals One
Low Moor

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Career Advice

Advance your MaterSci career with expert advice, practical job search tips, and insightful industry guides.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Materials Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

Materials science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans academia, industry, research, engineering and manufacturing. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, process development, quality assurance, failure analysis, nanomaterials or product scale-up, hiring managers make key decisions within the first few seconds of scanning your application. In competitive job markets, simply listing skills or qualifications isn’t enough. Hiring managers are looking for signals of relevance, technical depth, problem-solving capability and real-world impact — and they expect those signals to be clear right from the top of your CV or portfolio. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers typically look for first in materials science applications, why they look for it, and how you can optimise your CV, cover letter and portfolio so your application stands out and gets past the first filter.

The Skills Gap in Materials Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Materials science sits at the heart of innovation — from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, electronics, healthcare and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary field combining physics, chemistry, engineering and applied science to design and improve materials that power modern technology. Despite the clear strategic importance of materials science, employers across the UK report persistent challenges hiring graduates who are truly job-ready. Organisations need professionals who can contribute immediately to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and product scale-up — yet many recent graduates struggle to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This gap is not caused by a lack of intelligence or enthusiasm. It is a growing skills gap between what universities teach and what real materials science jobs require. This article explores the materials science skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers want, and how aspiring professionals can bridge the divide to build successful careers in this vital UK industry.

Materials Science Jobs for Career Switchers in Their 30s, 40s & 50s (UK Reality Check)

Thinking about a career switch into materials science in your 30s, 40s or 50s? You’re not alone. In the UK, materials science underpins innovations in aerospace, automotive, healthcare, energy, manufacturing & sustainability — and employers are increasingly open to talent with diverse backgrounds. But the field is often misunderstood as being only for PhDs in labs, which can put off experienced professionals who have valuable transferable skills. This guide gives you a clear, practical UK-focused reality check: which materials science careers are realistic, what skills employers are looking for, how long retraining usually takes, how to position your experience and whether age is a factor (hint: it’s your strengths that matter most). Whether you come from engineering, manufacturing, research support, quality, operations, design, project management or consultancy, this article shows how your background can translate into a materials science career in the UK.

Shaping the Future of Materials

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