Metallurgist

Metallurgists study metals, including their structure, production and uses. They use their knowledge to produce, process and apply metals in areas such as mining, the metal industries, civil engineering and manufacturing.

Work activities

Metallurgists study and develop the uses of metals and alloys, including steel, iron, nickel and aluminium. They research and develop the use of metals in a number of areas, including civil engineering, and the aircraft, motor and defence industries. Metallurgists are involved in the design and production of large structures such as aircraft and chemical plant, as well as smaller metal parts and products like razor blades, castings and pressings. They may specialise in chemical, physical or process metallurgy.

Chemical metallurgists study the chemistry of metals, including how to extract them from ore and recycle scrap metal from obsolete products. They also test metals for signs of corrosion. They produce plans to monitor and test for corrosion, often leading teams of technicians in repair work. Physical metallurgists test the reaction of metals to different conditions, including temperature, pressure and stress. In many industries, high performance metals are vital; metals used in the aircraft industry must be strong, light and reliable, for example. They investigate signs of weakness caused by the gradual effects of stress (metal fatigue).

Metallurgists can use a variety of techniques to study a metal’s physical structure and to assess its behaviour under different conditions. For example, they might subject a metal to very high temperatures and then use X-rays to see if the metal has changed internally. Process metallurgists control shaping methods such as casting, and joining processes, such as welding and soldering. Wherever they work, metallurgists use sophisticated technology, including lasers to cut through metals. They also work with a lot of theoretical data and can use computers to produce models of the structure of metals and the processes that act on them. Metallurgists might have contact with customers, for example, explaining the uses of a new alloy to them. They can also advise sales and marketing teams. Metallurgists might travel to other countries to meet international clients. Metallurgists often work in teams, alongside people like engineers, chemists, and other materials scientists and technicians.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a metallurgist, you’ll need:

• Ability in physics and chemistry.
• An interest in manufacturing and processing industries.
• Number skills, including the ability to use statistics to analyse experiments and model processes.
• An investigative mind and a methodical approach to doing experiments.
• Ability to use sophisticated equipment and techniques, including computers and lasers.
• To be prepared to spend time working in hot, noisy conditions.
• Ability to understand and follow health and safety procedures.

Research metallurgists must be willing to develop new knowledge and keep up to date with technological advances throughout the world. Metallurgists often work with technicians and other scientists, and with sales and marketing departments. This means they need good team skills, and an understanding of the market that uses their metal or product.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries vary widely between companies and regions. Generally, they tend to follow those for engineering. According to job site Talent, metallurgists earn between £30,000 and £50,000, with a median salary of £37,000 (961 salaries, December 2023). You may earn less before you are fully qualified.

Metallurgists usually work a full-time week, Monday to Friday. They might have occasional late finishes, and shift work is common in production work.

Employers are companies involved in metal extraction and metal processing, as well as companies that use metals in manufacturing. Other employers include firms involved in industrial processes, in engineering, telecommunications, chemical and energy. Research opportunities are in private industry, university laboratories, industrial research associations, contract research laboratories and government laboratories. Opportunities for metallurgists occur in towns and cities throughout the UK. There are also opportunities to work in other countries.

Some metallurgists work as self-employed consultants.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on the website of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. They appear in scientific magazines and journals such as New Scientist (which also posts jobs on its website). Vacancies are also advertised through job boards and in national newspapers.

Entry routes and training 

Usual entry is with a degree in metallurgy or materials science/technology. Degrees in metallurgy are available at a range of colleges and universities. Entry can be possible with an HND or foundation degree in a relevant science or engineering subject, although this is more likely to lead into a technician level position. Some universities offer degree courses with a foundation year. This is an extra year for students who don’t have the specified science A-levels for entry.

Training might be on-the-job, for example, in particular lab techniques or specialist equipment. Continuing professional development could involve going on short courses, teaching others, and going to conferences, seminars and workshops.

Progression Membership of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) demonstrates competence as a professional materials scientist or engineer. Membership can lead to registration with the Engineering Council UK as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng). It can also lead to registration as a Chartered Scientist (CSci) with the Science Council and Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status through the Society for the Environment. Please see the IOM3 website for details on how to become a member. Experienced metallurgists can become self-employed consultants.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree in metallurgy, the usual minimum requirement is:

• Two to three A-levels, including two science subjects from maths, physics, chemistry and design and technology.
• GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
• A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4, including maths.

Alternative qualifications include

• Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

However, course requirements vary, so please check prospectuses carefully.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed skills by working as technicians in the metal industries. Others have gained skills through industrial work placements.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter a degree, foundation degree or HND course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, for example, Access to Science. You don’t usually need any qualifications to enter an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider. A foundation year before the start of a science degree or HND is available at some universities and higher education colleges for students who don’t have the science A levels usually needed for entry to the course. A few universities offer part time/flexible study options at postgraduate level.

Funding for the study of materials science/metallurgy may be available from the Worshipful Company of Founders. Funding for postgraduate study and research may be available, through universities, from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Related careers

• Engineer
• Materials technician
• Materials technologist
• Scientist