Description:

 

Nanotechnology (sometimes shortened to "nanotech") is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. The earliest, widespread description of nanotechnology referred to the particular technological goal of precisely manipulating atoms and molecules for fabrication of macroscale products, also now referred to as molecular nanotechnology. A more generalized description of nanotechnology was subsequently established by the National Nanotechnology Initiative, which defines nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers. 

 

 

Career Paths:

 

Nanotechnology...

• ...is widely needed in a broad range of industry sectors, where te skills, knowledge and competency in nanotechnology.

• ...can lead to careers in areas such as electronics/semiconductor industry, materials science including textiles, polymers, packaging, among others, auto and aerospace industries, sporting goods, biotechnology, medical fields and pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, control, and remediation, food science including quality control and packaging, forensics, university and federal lab research, military and national security, energy capture and storage.

• ...usually leads to working and researching with structures at atomic and subatomic levels.

• ...allows you to use specialist equipment and nanotools to manipulate matter.​

 

 

Education:

 

If you want to become a nanotechnologist that works in an entry-level research job such as laboratory assistant, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in nanotechnology, nanoscale engineering, or nanoscience.

 

Not every university or college offers such programs however, so if you are not able to enroll in them you can become a nanotechnologist by pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a major in any molecular level science or engineering discipline, and having a minor in nanotechnology.

 

In fact, some say this educational path is equally as effective in terms of nanotechnology career preparation, as working with matter at the molecular level is possible in any field, therefore it can be more beneficial to choose a major linked to your prospective career field, rather than pursuing a general nanotechnology degree.

 

So if you’re interested in working in food sciences for example, and you’re interested in working to modify and investigate nutrition at the genetic level, you might realize more educational value from an undergraduate major in agricultural sciences with a minor concentration or double major in nanotechnology.

 

Junior and Senior-Level Nanotechnologist Job

If you want to work as a senior-level researcher, you will need to have a graduate degree in nanotechnology. If you want to direct research, or become a faculty member in a university or college, then you will typically need to complete a doctoral degree program in nanotechnology.

 

 

Average salary:

 

Depeneding on how far you study nanotechnology, will alter the average salary being earned by those who graduate from these levels of degrees. The average slaray after a Bachelor's degree is between £24,000 to £39,000. Those who achieve a Master's degree in the subject, on average, earn between £30,000 and £48,000. Then for those who go on to complete a Doctorate earn between £45,000 and £60,000.