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Nanotechnologists design, create and manipulate materials on a tiny scale.
You could work: evenings / weekends; occasionally
The tasks you'll do will depend on the industry that you work in. Nanotechnologists can be found in fields like medicine, engineering and manufacturing.
Typically you will:
You may need to wear protective clothing.
You could work in a laboratory.
You can get into this job through:
You'll usually need a degree or a postgraduate master's qualification in nanotechnology, or a related course which includes nanotechnology.
Relevant courses include:
Some employers may expect you to have, or be working towards, a PhD. This is particularly so in the field of medicine and healthcare nanotechnology. You'll usually also need experience of working in a laboratory environment.
Employers value experience. It may help to study for a degree that includes experience in the industry you want to work in. You could look for work placements with nanotechnology companies.
You'll usually need:
You may be able to move into nanotechnology if you're already working in research science or engineering, for example, as a chemist, physicist or electronics engineer.
You can find out more about careers in nanotechnology through Nanowerk.
You can find short introductory courses on the ways that nanotechnologies are applied in fields like healthcare through FutureLearn.
With experience you could lead project teams in a management role.
You could also move into a teaching in higher education.