What Would You Say?

After a yearlong hiatus, I thought it was about time that I got back on the nano-horse and giddy-upped into some new thoughts and understandings regarding that tiny little thing we call “nanotechnology.”

Let me tell you, from my position as a nearly finished Ph. D student in physical chemistry with a strong nanotechnology background (plasmonics), there is NOTHING out there right now job-wise in the private sector for nanotechnology. All of the rosy pronouncements above (with the possible exception of Neil Gordon) are no where near the reality on the ground. The fact is, unless you have a strong skill set in a very traditional area, i.e. semiconductor/MEMS/solid state fabrication or biotechnology, there is nothing out there. And the kind of jobs you’ll get, even at companies that claim to be doing “nanotechnology,” will be very traditional “run this machine” kind of work. (Case in point: Nanosphere, Inc. Are they actually hiring anyone with experience working with Nanospheres? No way. But if you can do PCR, you’re hired!)

So what does that leave? Either a series of academic postdocs earning $40k max for an uncertain future faculty job or a job in a government lab. Bold futures indeed!

Nanotechnology is never going to have an impact on society until it’s commercialized, and right now that is NOT happening. Search for “nanoparticle” on any jobs website, and you’ll see how much demand is out there for these skills.

To nanoJobless, If after a PhD and you still do not know how to use keywords to search for literature, comments, jobs, or similar, then please do return your diploma to the university and ask for a refund.

I refuse to point you in the right direction and instead enjoy my same education as yours +2yr experience making 108k.

Welcome back Rocky,
Have missed your commentary.  Over the past year we have seen announcements from many developing nations that have started their Nanotechnology Initiatives.  Everyone wants to be in the forefront to commercialize products, including Cuba, Mexico, Iran, Pakistan, South Africa, Malaysia, India, Russia, and of course China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea and more that have not announced their plans yet or I may have missed.  Are we asleep at the wheel as the world moves forward?  That may very well be your next question. Our government has funded 85 Nano Centers since the late 90’s.  Many of them are developing education outreach, but the resources are not being used by educators.  I am told it may be another decade before nanoscience is included in the National and State Standards.  Everyone has an agenda in our complex education paradigm with repercussions that will hamper our growth for the next 20 years.  Keep the discussion going on the blogs and social media.  Investors also need to look at the long term, not just a short term quick profit in this field, or all the commercialization will end up in China.

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