Qualcomm Institute (QI) workforce development programs include a focus on nanotechnology. Skills in nanotechnology are in high demand. A growing number of businesses and research groups use these technologies to create nanoscale devices with applications in medicine, genomic profiling (including epigenetics), communications, electronics, multi-function sensors, photonics and quantum computing, to name a few. Many of these opportunities reside in California, home to 22% of the country’s nanotechnology companies and 24% of the nation’s nanotechnology patents.
Supported by State funds, QI offers a one-year internship for students to work at its Nano3 facility. As workforce development interns, students have the unique opportunity to learn and operate Nano3’s state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM is a powerful tool used in various scientific disciplines to investigate the nanoscale structures and characteristics of materials. It plays a crucial role in supporting both academic researchers and industry professionals, making this internship an excellent opportunity to gain valuable skills.
During the internship, students work closely with experienced researchers and scientists who teach the intricacies of SEM operation and sample preparation techniques. Students are exposed to a wide range of real-world research projects and have the chance to contribute to the scientific community by assisting academic and industry users with their SEM needs.
This internship opportunity provides a unique blend of academic and practical experiences, giving students the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research while expanding students’ knowledge and skills in the field of nanotechnology.
State funds also support some participants in the Nanotechnology Summer Institute for Middle and High School Teachers, in which teachers join an intensive five-day program and additional optional daylong event to learn how to integrate nanotechnology into their Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned curricula.
Additional nanotechnology training programs at QI include:
- Summer Research Education in Nanotechnology, a paid 10-week summer research experience for undergraduates in which participants contribute to a research lab’s work
- Academic Internship Program, an opportunity for UC San Diego undergraduates to learn practical nanotechnology skills under the guidance of a mentor while earning academic credit
- Veteran Nanotechnology Training, a partnership with Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California, that trains veterans studying there as part of a national initiative to meet a nationwide need for jobs in semiconductor manufacturing.
For more information, on the SEM workforce development internship, contact Jeff Wu at jianfengwu@ucsd.edu. For other QI nanotechnology training programs, contact Yves Theriault at ytheriault@ucsd.edu. For the veterans’ program, see Southwestern’s Veterans’ Services Office.
“I am learning about neuroscience, hearing about different companies, and meeting people. I’ve already had other research opportunities open up because of this experience.”
Interns
“The friendships and mentors are inspiring; they motivate me to keep on learning every day. I found there is beauty in innovation and research, and it’s better when we collaborate.”
