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In a global economy where workers face new demands and opportunities every year, the need to acquire new skills and update existing ones is vital. Nanotechnology offers rewarding, cutting-edge employment that touches many different areas of research, technology, and manufacturing, among others.
Nanotechnology will create many jobs, at levels requiring post graduate education, four and two year college degrees, as well as skills that can be acquired through training and vocational programs. For instance, many nanotechnology companies report that they are hiring PhDs for routine characterization jobs, which could be more suitably filled by skilled technicians.
Associate Degree and Certificate Programs
This section spotlights training programs offered by various schools and workforce initiative programs across the U.S., the starting point for those looking to launch a career in nanotechnology.
Athens Technical College, Athens, GA - AAS program
Austin Community College, Austin, TX - AAS program
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA - Certificate program
Duke University, Durham, NC - Certificate program
Foothill College, Los Altos, CA - AAS and Certificate programs
Forsyth Technical Community College, Winston-Salem, NC -AAS program
Ivy Tech Community College, South Bend, IN
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD - Certificate
Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, PA - AAS program
Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, Penn. - AAS program
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI – Certificate program
Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge (NACK) Center at Penn State, State College, PA
North West Vista College, San Antonio, TX -- AAS program
Pennsylvania State University, 30 sites across PA - AAS and Certificate programs
Schenectady County Community College, Schenectady, NY - AAA program
University of Michigan, Center for Biologic Nanotechnology - Certificate program
University of Puerto Rico, Humacao, PR - AAS program
Washington State University, Nanotechnology Think Tank, Seattle, WA - Certificate program
Workforce Development
In addition to the brick-and-mortar schools offering nanotechnology courses, there are a variety of institutions and organizations that foster the growth and development of the nanotechnology workforce and education infrastructure.
- International Association of Nanotechnology (IANT) Training Programs: In partnership with the California Institute of Nanotechnology and Clean Tech Institute, the IANT is offering a number of intensive training programs to business executives, professional managers and dislocated workers for the emerging and high growth industries.
- Nanolink is an NSF-funded project involving 11 collaboration institutions that provides workforce development and teacher training resource. It also provides a variety of classroom resources for K-12 teachers.
- Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge Center (NACK) at Penn State University: NACK supports development of community college programs across the country, through the creation of flexible curriculum, access to remote equipment, and more.
- Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster's K-20 Education Links: The AZ Nano Cluster supports local K-20 education by various outreach programming by providing grade school, high school and the community college with scientist in the area of nanotechnology as lecturers educate students on intricacies and careers in nanotechnology.
Job Boards
The following sites maintain listings of current job openings in the nanotechnology field.
