Nanotechnology institutes provide resources for research and promotion of nanotechnology, with teaching, support, and research staff. Researchers are the most important asset, requiring a minimum doctoral degree. Conferences and events encourage discourse and networking. Predicted growth in the next decade, but issues around disposal, resource utilization, and knowledge sharing remain.
Around the world, almost every industrialized nation has a nanotechnology institute. The main objective of these institutions is to provide the necessary resources to develop and promote nanotechnology. These institutions are research-focused, with funding from various public and private sources.
There are three types of staff in a nanotechnology institute: teaching, support staff and research. Teaching roles vary by institute, with some forming close ties with local universities or colleges. In exchange for access to shared resources, some courses are taught by eminent researchers to students in graduate-level nanotechnology programs. This type of reciprocal agreement brings benefits to both institutions, both financially and organizationally.
Support staff are typically administrative, responsible for facility management, accounting, human resources, and related services. Laboratory assistants, managers and coordinators are also considered support staff, although they work closely with researchers. The level of funding available to administrative staff is typically quite low at a nanotechnology institute. As a result, many members of the administrative team serve in multiple roles.
Researchers are the most important assets in a nanotechnology institute. Most institutes have a recruitment process in place to attract top researchers to their institute. In addition to recruiting units, positions are posted and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Nanotechnology is a very specialized field, resulting in a relatively small pool of potential researchers worldwide.
To become a researcher at the institute of nanotechnology, a minimum doctoral degree is required. Research associates and assistants may be doctoral candidates who have completed a master’s degree in nanotechnology. Academic credentials are evaluated, along with a list of published articles, seminars and white papers on nanotechnology development.
Each year, the nanotechnology institute will host a series of lectures, seminars and conferences. These events are held to encourage discourse among researchers, raise the institute’s profile internationally, and enhance the network of nanotechnology institutes. The conferences also provide opportunities for vendors and service companies to speak with members of the nanotechnology community about their new products, develop important business connections, and sell equipment.
Over the next five to ten years, nanotechnology institutes are predicted to experience above-average growth as the technology moves from theoretical applications to commercial applications. There are issues around the disposal of nanotechnology, utilization of natural resources and knowledge sharing in the international community. Government agencies funding specific research projects expect exclusive ownership of the work product. However, due to the small size of the research community and the collaborative nature of this type of work, assigning exclusive property rights can become quite complex.
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