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Nanotechnlogists can work in any scientific areas,including
agriculture, medicine, engineering, and
technology. They enjoy learning new things, workingwith
cutting-edge science, and developing solutions tosocietys problems.
They usually work in research anddevelopment in universities or
industry. The emergingfield of nanotechnology is exciting, because
scientistshave learned that the properties of a material may bevery
different at the nano-scale than at the larger scalewith which we
normally work. These new propertiesallow novel and exciting
applications.
Nanotechnologists work in universities, industrialresearch
laboratories, and governmental agencies.University
nanotechnologists teach and conductresearch. They usually choose
their own research topicsand use nano-sized particles to help solve
a particular problem. Increasingly, researchers arestudying the
environmental effects of nano-sized particles to make sure these
new materialsare safe. Industrial nanotechnologists study ways to
develop smaller, stronger, and lightermaterials. Government workers
try to assess the need for regulations and the safety
ofnanotechnology currently in use. Nanotechnologists must
communicate with many differentpeople to stay informed about this
new field.
To be a nanotechnologist, you should be an intensely curious
person who enjoys facing achallenge and working on the cutting edge
of science. You should be interested in applyingbasic science to an
area that interests you. Currently, you need an advanced college
degree tobe a nanotechnologist, but people with bachelors degrees
may find positions as technicians.University, government, and
industry research laboratories usually hire nanotechnologists
withdoctoral degrees.
In high school, take as much math and science as you can. This
includes algebra, geometry,and, if possible, calculus. Science
classes that you should take include biology, chemistry,and
physics. Proficiency with computer softwarewill help with data
collection, analysis,and reporting.
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PhotobyPatrickHolian.
Cutting-edge science, nano-sized.
NanotechnologistNanotechnologist
Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Careers
2009 - Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access
institution.
Produced through a cooperative agreement between USDAs
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service and
Purdue University.
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