Almost every industrialized country in the world has a nanotechnology institute. These institutions’ primary goal is to provide the resources needed to develop and promote nanotechnology. These research-oriented institutions receive funding from a variety of public and private sources.
In a nanotechnology institute, there are three types of employees: teachers, support staff, and researchers. Teaching responsibilities differ by institute, with some having close ties to local universities or colleges. Some courses are taught by eminent researchers to students in graduate level nanotechnology programs in exchange for access to shared resources. From a financial and organizational standpoint, both institutions benefit from this type of reciprocal arrangement.
Support staff are typically administrative employees who are in charge of facility management, accounting, human resources, and other related services. Although they work closely with the researchers, laboratory assistants, managers, and coordinators are considered support staff. In a nanotechnology institute, the amount of money available for administrative staff is usually quite limited. As a result, many administrative employees serve in multiple capacities.
A nanotechnology institute’s most valuable asset is its researchers. Most institutes have a recruitment process in place to attract the best researchers. Positions are advertised in addition to recruitment drives, and qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Nanotechnology is a highly specialized field with a small pool of potential researchers around the world.
A doctoral degree is required to work as a researcher at a nanotechnology institute. Doctoral candidates with a master’s degree in nanotechnology can work as associate and assistant researchers. Academic credentials, as well as a list of published articles, seminars, and white papers on nanotechnology development, are considered.
The nanotechnology institute will host a number of lectures, seminars, and conferences throughout the year. These gatherings are held to promote research discussion, raise the institute’s international profile, and expand the network of nanotechnology institutes. Vendors and service firms can speak with members of the nanotechnology community about their new products, make important business connections, and sell equipment at conferences.
Nanotechnology institutes are expected to grow at a faster rate than the rest of the industry in the next five to ten years, as the technology progresses from theoretical to commercial applications. There are concerns about the disposal of nanotechnology, the use of natural resources, and knowledge sharing among international communities. Government agencies that fund specific research projects expect to own the finished product completely. Due to the small size of the research community and the collaborative nature of this type of work, determining sole ownership rights can be challenging.