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If you are interested in business technology, you are going to want to make sure that you take the time to take into consideration all of the different options that you can take in choosing your business technology.

NT-Articles > Friday, December-07-2007

Nanotechnology Careers

The opportunities for nanotechnology careers have been rapidly increasing, as more research funds become available and more commercial organizations turn to this new science for products to market. Naturally, in this highly specialized area, education and training is a significant challenge.
Current projections for jobs are estimated to be 2-million worldwide by the year 2015. This breaks down to: 800,000-900,000 in the U.S.; 500,00-600,000 in Japan; 300,000 to 400,000 in European countries; 200,000 in Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) and 100,000 in other regions of the globe. An additional 5-million jobs are expected top become available in different supporting fields and industries.

These nanotechnology careers are within fourteen primary markets that include:

  1. Electronics & semiconductors Optoelectronics
  2. Materials Science (Cosmetics at al) Environmental Monitoring/Control
  3. Auto & Aerospace Industries Food Science
  4. Sports Equipment Forensics
  5. Pharmaceuticals & Drugs University/Federal Lab Research
  6. Biotechnology National Security
  7. Medical Fields Military

The following fields are projected to be those with the fastest growth potential because nanotechnology is fostering a revolution in manufacturing and production: Medicine, Energy, Environmental Remediation, Manufacturing (Bottom-up Fabrication)
Robotics, Commerce (RFID and Smart Tags) and Aerospace/Space.

Nanotechnology is a field that requires education in numerous sciences and business areas. This is due to the fact that nanoscale phenomena cause materials to behave differently than they otherwise would. An education in one or more of these fields will prepare you for a successful nanotechnology career: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Engineering, Physics, Medicine, Forensic Sciences, Law. Ethics and Business.

Everyone in the nanotechnology field need not have a Doctor's degree. There is need for a skilled workforce with education and training at various levels. Here are the typical levels that will be required and time for completion:

  • Technical Program (1 Yr and Part-Time)
  • Associate's Degree ( 2 Yrs)
  • Bachelor's Degree ( 4 Yrs)
  • Master's Degree ( 6 Yrs)
  • Doctorate ( 8 Yrs) Note: Degree programs for full-time students.

And, of course, the projected salary ranges:**

  • Two Year Associates: $30K - $50K
  • Four Year Bachelors: $35K - $65K
  • Six Years Masters : $40K - $80K
  • Eight Year Doctorate: $75K - $100K

**These estimates are from Pennsylvania State University, Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization.

Many of the statistics and projections above were originally compiled in 2203 and 2004 and may have changed by this time. However, any change would be in a positive direction since the growth of nanotechnology itself has been significant.

Nanotechnology careers represent a ground-floor opportunity. If you are interested in a technically-oriented career that truly has growth potential, nanotechnology represents an
interesting choice with good growth potential. In addition, there should be ample job opportunities both within private companies and with government agencies. Research careers with universities usually require a doctorate degree, but individuals who have a Masters and are working toward their Doctorate are usually accepted. Starting salaries within commercial organizations are ordinarily higher for new employees with graduate degrees.

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