Fuel cells are self-contained devices that transform chemical energy into electrical energy. Recently, significant R&D investments have contributed to the development of these energy conversion devices. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Fuel Cell Industry Survey published in 2007, aggregate revenues for publicly traded companies in the fuel cell sector worldwide jumped 59 percent in 2006 to $416 million. The sector continues to attract growth funds and niche investors.

The sector offers non-scientific job opportunities for PR persons, copy writers, business students, researchers, editors, project managers, marketing personnel, advertising personnel, mass transit drivers and mechanics. Fuel cell units are currently being used in hospitals, schools, banks, utility power plants, office buildings and airport terminals. For job seekers with non-scientific backgrounds, these are the places where ample job opportunities can be sought.

Architects will be in high demand to design buildings that will be able to incorporate fuel cell power plants. There will be demand for utility maintenance workers and installers who are able to connect fuel cell units to electric grids with back up assurance.

The demand for technical writers to prepare detailed reports of these projects and submit to project managers will be high. Technical writers will also be required by companies to create user manuals, draft detailed white papers on products or services relating to fuel cells and provide proper instructions and company information on these services.

A full-fledged marketing team will be in demand for every competitive global company that works in the fuel cell industry. Job seekers with knowledge of dealer training, retail, media, service delivery and sales targeting will be in demand. The establishment of new fuel cell companies will add the requirement for a competent human resources team.

There will also be an increase of job opportunities for accountants, computer technicians and information officers in the global fuel cell industry.

Fuel Cell Scientific Jobs

Many governments are encouraging research related to the commercialization of fuel cells. The number of fuel cell developers, manufacturers, suppliers and projects has surged over the past couple of year, creating attractive job opportunities.

The fuel-cell industry has high demand for persons from science-oriented disciplines, such as chemical engineering, electrochemistry and materials engineering. With new companies striving to establish their niche areas in the global fuel cell industry, opportunities are rising for job seekers with a science background.

The global demand for research oriented professionals to study renewable energies and the impacts on the environment is high. In addition, global environmental firms are conducting scientific experiments to test the benefits of using fuel cells in cars and to generate electricity.

Preparing detailed reports of these scientific experiments and detailing highly scientific and technical aspects relating to emissions, efficiency and total value will spur demand for scientific data analysts and writers in major and upcoming fuel cell companies. There are a number of global government agencies, such as the US Department of Energy, that hire staff with scientific background to work extensively on fuel cell research, renewable energy projects and environmental initiatives.

To meet the current global demand in the sector, universities and secondary schools across the world are being encouraged to implement fuel cell specific courses as part of their curriculums. This initiative will spur global demand for professors and teachers in the science oriented disciplines.

In the US alone, hydrogen fuel cell development is considered as a long-term, high-growth area, with California heading the way in developing zero-emission vehicles to be manufactured in the coming decades. Therefore, the requirement for high-temperature material scientists, specialists in oxide ceramic materials as well as solid state chemistry has risen already.

Another key player in developing fuel cell and hydrogen energy technology is Canada. Nearly 75 percent of the 2,000 jobs in Canada are in Vancouver, which is the thriving hub for most companies in this sector. There is great demand for researchers, visiting professors and post doctoral researchers to meet the research requirements of regional fuel cell clusters and catalyze the commercial growth of fuel cell technologies.

The global fuel cell industry continues to have demand for electrochemical engineers, mechanical engineers, physicists, ceramic engineers, chemists, polymer engineers, material scientists and fluid flow engineers. In fact, the controls engineering has currently emerged as an integral part of the fuel cell industry. The demand for chemical and mechanical engineers will continue to rise as cells and fuels require to be maintained at specific temperatures.