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Nanotechnology Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arcturus

Lead Carbon Nanomaterials Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $145K/yr

Lead Nanomaterials Engineer Los Angeles, CA (in-person) About Arcturus Arcturus is creating a new ... PhD or MS in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, or a related field * 8+ ...

UNC Greensboro

Associate Professor

Greensboro, NC

The Department of Nanoscience offers several graduate degree programs, including a PhD program in Nanoscience with concentrations in Frontier Materials, Synthetic Biology, and Nanomedicine; a thesis ...

Subsense

Senior Nanoscientist

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

A PhD in chemistry, materials science, or a similar field, with 5 to 10 years of industrial or postdoctoral research experience * Deep expertise in inorganic and organic nanoparticle synthesis ...

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Nanotechnology Phd information

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How much do nanotechnology phd jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for nanotechnology phd in the United States is $22.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.15 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Nanotechnology Phd vs Nanotechnology Engineer?

AspectNanotechnology PhdNanotechnology Engineer
Required CredentialsDoctorate (PhD) in Nanotechnology or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Nanotechnology, Materials Science, or Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, R&D departmentsIndustrial settings, manufacturing plants, R&D teams
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic institutions, government research, advanced R&DTech companies, manufacturing firms, applied research

While a Nanotechnology Phd focuses on research, development, and academic contributions in nanotechnology, a Nanotechnology Engineer applies practical skills to develop and implement nanotech solutions in industry. Both roles require a strong understanding of nanoscience, but the Phd emphasizes research and theory, whereas the engineer emphasizes application and product development.

Is a nanotechnology PhD worth it?

A nanotechnology PhD prepares individuals for research, development, and advanced roles in industries such as electronics, healthcare, and materials science. It can lead to higher-level positions and increased earning potential, but the field is competitive and often requires specialized skills and postdoctoral experience.

What jobs can you get with a nanotechnology PhD?

A nanotechnology PhD qualifies individuals for roles such as research scientist, nanofabrication engineer, materials scientist, or product development specialist in industries like electronics, healthcare, and energy. These positions often require skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and familiarity with nanomaterials and instrumentation.

Which country is best for a nanotechnology PhD?

The best country for a nanotechnology PhD depends on research opportunities, funding, and industry connections. Countries like the United States, Germany, and Japan are known for strong nanotechnology research programs and advanced facilities, making them attractive options for pursuing a PhD in this field.

What are popular job titles related to Nanotechnology Phd jobs?

For Nanotechnology Phd jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Nanotechnology Phd job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,375 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Molecular Design & DNA Nanotechnology Lead

Astera Institute

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$200 - $250/hr

Other

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

About Astera

Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress.

Unlike traditional non-profit research organizations, projects supported by Astera operate like high-velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming here.

Position Summary

The Astera Institute is seeking a Molecular Design & DNA Nanotechnology Lead to lead the design and wet-lab fabrication of a DNA-origami electrostatic actuator — a charged origami plate/polymer/electrode stack that, driven by an applied field, produces controlled nanometer-scale motion through a force-transmitting linkage. This position reports to Dr. Jeremy Barton (Astera Institute Resident, Project Lead). This is a full-time position.

Responsibilities
  • Design the DNA-origami actuator mechanism — the charged drive plate, the force-transmitting structure, and the amplifying lever or four-bar linkage — that turns a small electrostatic deflection of the plate into a larger, controlled output displacement within a sub-200-nanometer footprint.
  • Use coarse-grained molecular-dynamics simulation (e.g., oxDNA) to predict the mechanism's mechanical behavior — stiffness, compliance, and thermal stability of its motion — and iterate the design.
  • Fold and optimize the DNA origami in the wet lab (annealing, buffer, and magnesium conditions), and design the site-specific chemistry that anchors the plate and mechanism to the device surface.
  • Own folding yield and quality control, and prepare structures for characterization by atomic-force microscopy (AFM), cryo-electron microscopy, and single-molecule fluorescence.
  • Lead a small, interdisciplinary founding team and collaborate closely with device-physics, controls, and computational colleagues.
Qualifications and Experience
  • PhD in structural DNA nanotechnology, biophysics, bioengineering, chemistry, or a related field, with demonstrated DNA-origami design and folding experience.
  • Proficiency with DNA-nanostructure design tools and coarse-grained molecular-dynamics simulation (e.g., caDNAno, oxDNA).
  • Hands-on wet-lab command of folding, gel and AFM quality control, and purification.
  • A track record of taking nanoscale structures from design through to characterized, functional devices.
  • Ability to lead a small interdisciplinary team and communicate across disciplines.
Location

This position is on site at our office in Emeryville, CA. Some travel may be required from time-to-time for in-person collaboration and work.

Compensation

The posted salary range is based on location in the Bay Area. The successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation package, commensurate with their experience and location.

  • See the Benefits Summary.
Cultural Alignment
  • Bias to action – you launch and iterate on thoughtful experiments rather than waiting for perfect plans, and you're energized by novel problems.
  • Flexible by default – you don't draw hard lines around your job description and expect your role to evolve significantly over 6–12 months.
  • High standards, internally driven – you hold yourself to the bar of building world-class public goods without benchmarking against others.
  • Operate with the highest levels of integrity, judgment, and stewardship – you treat residents, peers, and vendors with genuine respect for their time and contributions.
  • Embrace the tools that define great work today – Astera is building for an AI-driven future and equips the team accordingly; we see these as genuine force multipliers, not optional extras.
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