online phd quantum computing

Top 20 Quantum Computing Masters & Ph.D. Degree Programs in 2024

Kenna hughes-castleberry.

• June 6, 2022

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Because quantum computing requires a background in research, it’s important for those entering the quantum workforce to go through one of the many rigorous quantum computing Ph.D. or master’s programs.

There are many universities around the world offering quantum computing as a graduate program. Many of them have also spawned some of the biggest names in quantum computing, allowing a bridge to form between research and industry. This is especially beneficial for students looking to transition from academia into a quantum computing job .

While the choices of quantum computing degree programs seem nearly endless, we at Quantum Insider want to offer a summarized list of what we believe are a few of the top ones to get a Ph.D. or master’s in quantum computing. This is not at all exhausting as many universities continue to advance their quantum computing programs or work with companies to help enhance opportunities for their students.

We’ve organized a list of the top 20 quantum computing master’s and Ph.D. programs to get a degree in 2024. Enjoy!

You may also like:

• Top 8 Online Quantum Computing Courses
• Top 18 Institutions Leading Quantum Computing Research
• Top 12 Quantum Computing Universities
• 7 Quantum Computing Books to Read in 2024 [Ranked & Reviewed]

20 Quantum Computing Degree Programs

1. mit’s lincoln laboratory.

It’s no surprise that the top quantum computing graduate programs are hosted by some of the most prestigious schools. MIT is no exception, as its Lincoln Laboratory studies integrated nano-systems and quantum information. MIT’s masters in quantum computing focus on trapped-ion qubits as well as designing integrated quantum circuits. The laboratory offers several different projects to work on, all with real-world applications.

2. University of California Berkeley

UC Berkeley is one of the many universities in California looking into quantum computing , mimicking the hub of activity by quantum companies in that area. The Berkeley Lab works on harnessing quantum computing to help solve real-world issues. With research topics ranging from quantum materials to even training the quantum workforce, UC Berkeley’s quantum computing masters program offers a multi-disciplinary approach.

3. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is one of the top quantum computing universities as it is home to the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE). The CQE connects other universities in the Midwest, as well as companies and other organizations to discuss developments in quantum technology. Because of the CQE, their quantum computing graduate students get exclusive networking opportunities and the ability to work on cutting-edge research.

4. University of Maryland’s Joint Quantum Institute (JQI)

The University of Maryland’s JQI offers a unique experience for students, as it includes quantum scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the University of Maryland, and the Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS). With this diversity in researchers, students have a wide range of quantum degree programs to choose from, including theoretical and experimental quantum physics.

5. University of Southern California’s Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology (CQIST)

Like UC Berkeley, USC’S CQIST focuses on quantum information science. However, its main focuses are on quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum information theory. To research these subjects in their master’s and Ph.D. programs, CQIST brings in experts from both the school of Arts and Sciences and Engineering, giving all students an interdisciplinary focus on quantum computing technology.

6. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Studying quantum computing at Caltech, students become part of the university’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter ( IQIM ). This institute is a National Science Foundation Physics Frontier Center , one of many government centers that encourage global collaboration and offer unique opportunities to quantum computing masters and Ph.D. students. These centers also work to give extra activities to enhance student education.

7. Stanford University

Stanford University has multiple researchers studying quantum computing, including the Q-Farm , an acronym standing for Quantum Fundamentals, Architectures, and Machine learning initiative. Q-Farm collaborates with Stanford’s National Acceleration Laboratory ( SLAC ) to develop answers to some of the biggest challenges for quantum computing.

8. Harvard University

Harvard University hosts the Harvard Quantum Initiative , which recently released a new quantum computing Ph.D. program in quantum science and engineering. The Harvard Quantum Initiative has a bustling hub of researchers focusing on properly training the next quantum workforce, while also working with industry partners to advance this technology. They offer a prize for Ph.D. researchers in quantum engineering as well as several summer research programs.

9. Carnegie Mellon University

The Pittsburgh Quantum Institute ( PQI ) at Carnegie Mellon University hosts over 100 members and workers to create a multidisciplinary quantum computing graduate program that involves engineering, business, philosophy of science, and other fields. PQI offers many opportunities to its quantum engineering students, including travel awards, poster sessions, public lectures, and outreach activities. The PQI also works closely with other centers, like the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, to work on this next-generation quantum technology.

10. University of Colorado Boulder

Within the University of Colorado Boulder lies JILA , a leading quantum physics degree institute created by a partnership between the University and NIST. JILA hosts its own NSF Physics Frontier Center, as well as several other centers focused on quantum computing and laser systems. Several of the scientists within JILA work closely with quantum computing companies, allowing their master’s and Ph.D. students better networking opportunities within Colorado, a growing hub of quantum activity.

11. The University of Waterloo

Canada’s University of Waterloo is one of the best well-known universities for quantum computing due to its Institute for Quantum Computing . With over 29 faculty members and 300 researchers, their quantum computing Ph.D. program works to train the next generation of the quantum workforce through global collaborations involving other universities, organizations, and quantum companies.

12. The University of Bristol

Both the Bristol Quantum Information Institute and its Quantum Engineering Technology labs help make the university one of the top places to get a Ph.D. or master’s in quantum computing. The Quantum Engineering Technology Labs develop prototypes for quantum applications, from computing to sensing to simulations. With a group of mentors and advisors, students of this quantum computing degree program will learn more about the career paths within this field and be assisted in their journey.

13. The University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has bolstered its reputation in quantum computing due to the company spin-offs from the university. Within the university are many research groups that study quantum devices and nano-systems. Because of its reputation, the University of Cambridge brings opportunities for network connections within the UK’s quantum hub.

14. Oxford University

Perhaps the largest center for quantum research in the UK, Oxford University ‘s quantum computing graduate program hosts 38 different research teams and over 200 researchers. As their focus is to harness the power of quantum computing, students get hands-on experience developing next-level quantum technology, while being in the center of the UK’s quantum network.

15. Ecole Polytechnique

The Institut Polytechnique de Paris is one of France’s most prestigious universities, as it hosts the Center for Theoretical Physics ( CPHT ). Their quantum physics degree programs offer students a wide range of physics topics, from condensed matter to particle physics.

16. Delft University of Technology

Located in the Netherlands, Delft University’s Department of Quantum and Computer Engineering ( QCE ) combines computer science with quantum computing. In their quantum engineering degree program, students research quantum architecture and circuitry, combining it with computer design.

17. Austrian Academy of Sciences

The Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information ( IQOQI ) lies within the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Their quantum computing degree programs range from quantum optics to superconducting quantum circuits to quantum nanophysics. With a large staff of researchers and scientists, this quantum computing university sits right in the middle of the quantum hub in Europe.

18. University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)

The USTC’s Division of Quantum Physics and Quantum Information is a world leader in quantum computing research. Scientists and students at this center focus on fiber-based quantum communication, free-space quantum communication, quantum memory, superconducting quantum computing, quantum simulation, and many other fields. With an electronics shop and over 37 faculty members, the USTC will no doubt continue to be one of the leading quantum computing degree programs.

19. The National University of Singapore (NUS)

The NUS’s Center for Quantum Technologies ( CQT ) focuses on bringing quantum computing students and scientists from around the world together to develop quantum devices. The CQT focuses on quantum research and education as well as quantum technology. Every year, the CQT runs a short-film competition about quantum technology called Quantum Shorts .

20. The University of Sydney

The University of Sydney is a growing location for quantum computing research, partially due to Australia’s first quantum computing conference last year. Research at the University of Sydney ranges from theoretical to experimental, offering a wide range of quantum computing masters and Ph.D. programs for graduate students. The University also works with many different organizations, including the Sydney Quantum Academy.

If you found this article to be informative, make sure to explore more of the current quantum technology news  here . If you would like to explore enterprise end users of quantum in more detail, you should check out our dedicated  market intelligence platform .

If you found this article to be informative, you can explore more current quantum news here , exclusives, interviews, and podcasts.

Quantum Machine Learning Is The Next Big Thing

12 Top Quantum Computing Universities in 2024

Sifting through the Clouds: Polish Researchers Will Test the Utility of Quantum Algorithms for Satellite Imagery

Keep track of everything going on in the Quantum Technology Market.

In one place.

Related Articles

U.S. Pushes for Stronger International Cooperation in Quantum Technology

Matt swayne, august 9, 2024.

D-Wave Reports Q2 2024 Earnings: Focus on Growth and Strategic Expansion

Quantum Computing Luminaries Launch Qolab to Develop ‘High-Quality’ Superconducting Qubits

Manchester’s Quiet Revolution in Quantum Computing

James dargan.

Improved Performance of Superconducting Qubits Makes Investigation of Sapphire Substrates Compelling as an Alternative to Silicon

December 14, 2023.

Local, National Leaders Back Quantum Computer Installation in Alabama

August 7, 2024.

‘Quantum-inspired’ Insights from Hewlett Packard’s Leading Scientists

Making (Quantum) Memories Together — NASA And Infleqtion Report Important Advance in Quantum Networks

August 5, 2024, welcome to our weekly qc newsletter. yes, we know we are the quantum insider but we also appreciate that you probably don’t want us in your inbox every day. here is what we have been working on this week..

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

One of our team will be in touch to learn more about your requirements, and provide pricing and access options.

Join Our Newsletter

Princeton Quantum Initiative

Quantum Science and Engineering PhD Program

PQI is launching a new PhD program in Quantum Science and Engineering, accepting applications in Fall 2023.

Find full information about the program structure and requirements  from Princeton Graduate School. The application for the program can be found through the Graduate School portal .

The PhD program in Quantum Science and Engineering provides graduate training in a new discipline at the intersection of quantum physics and information theory. Just as the 20th century witnessed a technological and scientific revolution ushered in by our newfound understanding of quantum mechanics, the 21st century now offers the promise of a new class of technologies and lines of scientific inquiry that take full advantage of the more fragile and intricate consequences of quantum mechanics: coherent superposition, projective measurement, and entanglement. This field has broad implications ranging from many-body physics and the creation of new forms of matter to our understanding of the emergence of the classical world and our basic understanding of space and time.  It enables fundamentally new technological applications, including new types of computers that can solve currently intractable problems, communication channels whose security is guaranteed by the laws of physics, and sensors that offer unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution.

The Princeton Quantum Science and Engineering community is unique in its interdisciplinary breadth combined with foundational research in quantum information and quantum matter. Research at Princeton comprises every layer of the quantum technology stack, bringing together many body physics, materials, devices, new quantum hardware platforms, quantum information theory, metrology, algorithms, complexity theory, and computer architecture. This vibrant environment allows for rapid progress at the frontiers of quantum science and technology, with cross pollination among quantum platforms and approaches. The research community strongly values interdisciplinarity, collaboration, depth, and fostering a close-knit community that enables fundamental and impactful advances.

Our curriculum places students in an excellent position to build new quantum systems, discover new technological innovations, become leaders in the emergent quantum industry, and make deep, lasting contributions to quantum information science. The QSE graduate program aims to provide a strong foundation of fundamentals through a three-course core, as well as opportunities to explore the frontiers of current research through electives. First year students are also required to take a seminar course that is associated with the Princeton Quantum Colloquium, in which they closely read the associated literature and discuss the papers. Our curriculum has a unique emphasis on learning how to read and understand current literature over a large range of topics. The curriculum is complemented by many opportunities at PQI for scientific interaction and professional development. A major goal of the program is to help form a tight-knit graduate student cohort that spans disciplines and research topics, united by a common language. 

Most students enter the program with an undergraduate degree in physics, electrical engineering, computer science, chemistry, materials science, or a related discipline. When you apply, you should indicate what broad research areas you are interested in: Quantum Systems Experiment, Quantum Systems Theory, Quantum Materials Science, or Quantum Computer Science.

Quantum Science and Engineering

PhD in Molecular Engineering

PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering

• Degree Requirements
• Financial Aid & Fellowships
• How to Apply
• Request More Information

How We Evaluate Applications

Our Faculty

Campus Tour

UChicago Grad

Student Life

Hyde Park and Chicago

Dean of Students Office

Career Development

Disability Services

Diversity & Inclusion

Family Services

Health & Wellness

International Students

For general inquiries about the PhD program, questions on financial aid, or to schedule a visit to PME, please contact  [email protected]

David Taylor Dean of Students [email protected] Phone: 773.834.2057

Quantum resources and initiatives

• Chicago Quantum Exchange
• James Franck Institute

The PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering program provides students with the opportunity to study with some of  the most prominent researchers  working in both fundamental and applied aspects of quantum science. The program encompasses a variety of engineering topics that will help shape the quantum future. This includes quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing, as well as research in quantum materials. Students have the option of working with one or more thesis advisors to build a cross-cutting research project that touches multiple disciplines.

Our graduate students work within a growing nexus of quantum research in Chicago, which includes the  Chicago Quantum Exchange , two Department of Energy funded national quantum information science research centers  Q-NEXT  and  SQMS , the  NSF QuBBE Quantum Leap Challenge Institute , one of the  longest ground-based quantum communication channels  in the country, and much more.

Students perform their research in state-of-the-art facilities at both the  University of Chicago  and  Argonne National Laboratory  campuses, and have opportunities to gain industry expertise through interactions with UChicago’s  Booth School of Business  and the  Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation , as well as our  industry and corporate partners . More opportunities are available through our robust programs in  career development and entrepreneurship ,  science communication ,  mentoring training and opportunities , and  educational outreach .

Program overview

Learn more about our curriculum structure, inclusive and student-centered approach to education and research, programs to support career development, and more.

Enroll today

Learn more about the application process.

Noah Glachman

Bernien Lab

“Quantum computing has the potential to solve some of the world's biggest problems. I'm proud to be a part of a team here making that happen.”

Anchita Addhya

“PME brings these diverse fields together and has this very collaborative environment that I really appreciate.”

José A. Méndez

Awschalom Lab (co-advised by Hannes Bernien)

“Study something that you find interesting and I guarantee we can use you here.”

• PhD student
• Faculty member
• Entrepreneur

By clicking on continue , you will visit the website of École Polytechnique, one of the founding schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

By clicking on continue , you will visit the website of ENSTA Paris, one of the founding schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

By clicking on continue , you will visit the website of Ecole des Ponts, one of the founding schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

By clicking on continue , you will visit the website of ENSAE Paris, one of the founding schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

By clicking on continue , you will visit the website of Télécom Paris, one of the founding schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

By clicking on continue , you will visit the website of Télécom SudParis, one of the founding schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

PhD track Quantum Science and Technologies (QUANTIX)

WHY ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?

Get ready for a PhD by starting research at an early stage

Be closely associated with the research activities carried out in a world-renowned innovation cluster

Benefit from individual and personalized supervision by a faculty member

• Description
• Associated Laboratories
• PhD Tracks Research Projects

Quantum Technologies have seen a dramatic development in the past few years. The realization of individual quantum systems and the control of new materials with unconventional properties has paved the way to the development of machines and protocols based on the most fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics, without classical counterparts, such as the superposition of states and entanglement. The demonstration of quantum supremacy in 2019 has been a major step, but many new challenges remain to be taken for the complete deployment of Quantum Technologies, at both the fundamental level and that of practical applications.

The Quantum Science and Technologies PhD track is organized around six pillars:

• Quantum Materials
• Quantum Simulation
• Quantum Computation
• Quantum Sensing and Metrology
• Quantum Communication and Networking
• Quantum Information Processing

It aims at providing the students with a high level education at the state of the art of quantum physics and quantum information processing in direct contact with forefront research in all these fields.

• Be trained to forefront challenges in quantum science and its technological applications
• Contribute to cutting-edge research in a word-leading research center
• Discover a multidisciplinary field at the frontier of theoretical and experimental physics, computer science, and applied mathematics.
• Discover the diversity of quantum technologies in the rich scientific environment of the Plateau de Saclay
• Become a leader of the next generation of reserachers and engineers in quantum science and technologies

Partner University

• Université Paris-Saclay

The five-year curriculum of the PhD track trains students in cutting-edge research for them to pursue international careers  in prestigious universities and academic labs or leading companies in quantum technologies. 

The PhD Track provides a five-year "à la carte" integrated Master and PhD program for particularly motivated and talented students aiming at preparing a career in academia or industry through an individualized research-oriented training program in Quantum Science and Technologies. Students will be attributed an academic tutor in their field of research from the very start of their studies at IP Paris. In coordination with their tutor, students will elaborate their own personal curriculum consisting of course work and research phases corresponding to their research interests and professional project.

During their first year, students will follow a selection of high level courses focused on quantum physics and its interfaces. It may include computer science and applied mathematics courses, as well as complementary modules allowing them to broaden their general scientific culture and to acquire complementary skills. At the same time, the students are immediately members of the research team of their tutor and participate in team activities and research discussions. This includes in particular attending relevant research seminars and potentially topical workshops. During the first year, students will work on a research project, in collaboration with their host team. A significant part of the second year will be devoted to a larger-scale research work, giving rise to a Master thesis and – most likely – first research publications. This is also the occasion to consolidate their choice for the topic of their PhD.

While it will still be possible to follow selected – more specialized – scientific courses and courses in secondary skills, the last three years of the PhD Track program will be mainly devoted to research work towards the PhD degree.

In addition to the weekly laboratory work, two mandatory full-time internships take place during the spring, one at the M1 level, the other at the M2 level. The duration and corresponding number of ECTS are at least those of the main Master in which the student is enrolled. The number of ECTS can be adapted depending on the duration of the internship.

Students have the opportunity to visit international partner universities.

All relevant laboratories of IP Paris and partner institutions, in particular

• Center for Theoretical Physics (CPHT, Ecole Polytechnique
• Laboratory for Applied Optics (LOA, Ecole Polytechnique/ENSTA)
• Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics (PMC, Ecole Polytechnique)
• Laboratory for Information Processing and Communication Laboratory (LTCI, Telecom Paris)
• Laboratory for Irradiated Solids (LSI, Ecole Polytechnique)

Admission requirements

Academic prerequisites.

Completion with highest honors of a Bachelor in physics, including courses in quantum physics, at Institut Polytechnique de Paris or equivalent in France or abroad.

Evidence of research potential is essential as the main goal of such a PhD program is to train first class researchers. 

Students who have completed the first year of an equivalent program may exceptionally be directly admitted to the second year (4-year PhD program).

Language prerequisites

A certificate of proficiency in English (level B2) is required (TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge ESOL), except for native speakers and students who previously studied in English.

How to apply

Applications are exclusively online. You will be required to provide the following documents:

• Transcript 
• Two academic references (added online directly by your referees)  
• CV/resume 
• Statement of purpose indicating which 2 choices of research subjects among the one listed on this page under the section "PhD Track Research Projects"

You will receive an answer in your candidate space within 2 months following the closing date of the application session. 

Fees and scholarships

Registration fees are available here

Find out more about scholarships

Please note that fees and scholarships may change for the following year.

Applications and admission dates

Coordinator.

• Luca Perfetti 

General enquiry

• [email protected]

When applying to the PhD Tracks in Physics, you should describe your preferred fields of study and research in your motivation letter. You are ecouraged to choose two preferred PhD Track subjects among the list below.   Since the posted offers do not cover the full spectrum of our activities , you can also visit the web pages of the 11 laboratories (CPHT, IPVF, LLR, LOA, LOB, LPICM, LPMC, LPP, LSI, LULI, Omega) affiliated to the physics department and indicate the research lines that interest you the most.

PhD Track research projects in “QUANTUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY”

• Correlated quantum matter and quantum information
• Ultrafast dynamics of electrons in quantum materials
• Re-using model results to determine materials properties: connector theory approach
• Collective electronic fluctuations and their influence on materials properties
• Spin-dependent charge dynamics in dilute nitride and defect-engineered semiconductor quantum structures and devices
• Electronic processes in nitride semiconductor quantum structures and devices
• Theory of Many-Body Quantum States
• Probing the quantum properties of spin defects in 2D materials
• Time-frequency quantum information processing
• Uncovering a new law of physics in quantum materials

• Aviation and Astronautical Sciences
• Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
• Construction and Facilities
• Critical Infrastructure
• Cyber & Information Security
• Cyberpsychology
• Engineering
• Engineering Technologies
• Intelligence and Global Security Studies
• Management of Technology
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Uncrewed Systems
• Doctoral Degrees
• Master's Degrees
• Bachelor's Degrees
• Online Programs
• Associate Degrees
• Certificates
• Minor Degrees
• STEM Events
• Webinars and Podcasts
• Master's
• Undergraduate
• Transfer Students
• Military and Veterans
• International Students
• Admissions Counselor
• Capitol Connections
• Accepted Students
• Project Lead the Way
• Builder Culture
• Campus Life
• Clubs and Organizations
• Centers and Labs
• Online Classes
• The Capitol Commitment
• Top Employers
• Co-ops and Internships
• Professional Education
• Find a Mentor
• Career Services
• Capitol Online Job Board
• Recruiters and Employers
• Why Capitol Tech
• At a Glance
• Mission, Vision and Goals
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Washington, D.C.
• Capitol History
• Capitol Partners
• News and Events
• Visitors/Campus
• Accreditation
• Recognitions & Awards
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni & Giving
• News & Events
• Capitology Blog
• Maps / Directions

• Degrees and Programs

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Quantum Computing

• Request Information

Earn a doctorate degree in Quantum Computing, help lead innovation in a growing industry

The PhD in Quantum Computing is a unique doctoral program designed to meet the immediate industry need for innovative researchers and practitioners. Professionals will graduate with the skills necessary to become key leaders in the advancement, expansion, and support of the this rapidly growing industry. 

Students in this program will conduct extensive and sustained original research on the applications of Quantum Computing, which harnesses and exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to process a vast number of calculations simultaneously. Faculty of this program are industry experts devoted to providing students deep proficiency in this area using an interdisciplinary methodology, cutting-edge courses, and dynamic faculty skill sets.

Graduates with the Ph.D. in Quantum Computing can expect to fill executive and senior-level positions in commercial companies as well as local, state, and federal government with a variety of titles such as:

• Quantum Senior Scientist
• Quantum Senior Software Engineer
• Chief, Quantum Computing Solutions
• Vice President, Quantum Solutions
• Senior Director, Quantum Computing
• Senior Quantum Solutions Architect
• Senior Quantum Systems Engineer
• Director, Federal Quantum Research
• Chief, State Quantum Solutions
• Senior State Quantum Applications Engineer
• Senior Director, Financial Quantum Computing

Graduates will also possess the required knowledge in Quantum Computing to serve as a subject matter expert and form their own private company.

Why Capitol?

Learn around your busy schedule

Program is 100% online, with no on-campus classes or residencies required, allowing you the flexibility needed to balance your studies and career.

Proven academic excellence

Study at a university that specializes in industry-focused education in technology fields, with a faculty that includes many industrial and academic experts.

Expert guidance in doctoral research

Capitol’s doctoral programs are supervised by faculty with extensive experience in chairing doctoral dissertations and mentoring students as they launch their academic careers. You’ll receive the guidance you need to successfully complete your doctoral research project and build credentials in the field. 

Key Faculty

Vice President

Dissertation Chair

Degree Details

This program may be completed with a minimum of 60 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the time required to complete the dissertation/publication research. Students who are not prepared to defend after completion of the 60 credits will be required to enroll in RSC-899, a one-credit, eight-week continuation course. Students are required to be continuously enrolled/registered in the RSC-899 course until they successfully complete their dissertation defense/exegesis.

The student will produce, present, and defend a doctoral dissertation after receiving the required approvals from the student’s Committee and the PhD Review Boards.

Prior Achieved Credits May Be Accepted

Educational Objectives:

• Students will integrate and synthesize alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas fully within the field of Quantum Computing.
• Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge and competencies in Quantum Computing.
• Students will analyze existing theories to draw data-supported conclusions in Quantum Computing.
• Students will analyze theories, tools, and frameworks used in Quantum Computing.
• Students will execute a plan to complete a significant piece of scholarly work in Quantum Computing.
• Students will evaluate the legal, social, economic, environmental, and ethical impact of actions within Quantum Computing and demonstrate advanced skill in integrating the results in to the leadership decision-making process.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation:

• Graduates will integrate the theoretical basis and practical applications of Quantum Computing in to their professional work.
• Graduates will demonstrate the highest mastery of Quantum Computing.
• Graduates will evaluate complex problems, synthesize divergent/alternative/contradictory perspectives and ideas fully, and develop advanced solutions to Quantum Computing challenges.
• Graduates will contribute to the body of knowledge in the study of Quantum Computing.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates are subject to change.

The following rates are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year, beginning in Fall 2024 and continuing through Summer 2025:

• The application fee is $100
• The per-credit charge for doctorate courses is $950. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
• Retired military receive a $50 per credit hour tuition discount
• Active duty military receive a $100 per credit hour tuition discount for doctorate level coursework.
• Information technology fee $40 per credit hour.
• High School and Community College full-time faculty and full-time staff receive a 20% discount on tuition for doctoral programs.

Find additional information for 2024-2025 doctorate tuition and fees.

I was able to receive credit for previous work in a PhD in Biomedical Informatics. Capitol Tech enables me to rapidly dive in, complete my research, and degree and bring my skills to the job market quickly in an embryonic but emerging field.

-Forrest Pascal PhD in Quantum Computing

Need more info, or ready to apply?

Quantum Science & Engineering

Join the quantum revolution at Harvard.

We are witnessing the birth of Quantum Science & Engineering, an event no less significant than the advent of the physics and engineering of electronics at the beginning of the last century. This new discipline demands new approaches to educating the rising generations of researchers who will require deep knowledge of science and engineering principles.

The quantum world of very small things has only recently been amenable to full control and this, in turn, has led to an explosion in potential applications, from new approaches to computation and communication, to more rapid drug discovery, and new sensors with unprecedented precision and resolution. We are at the frontier of the development of fully engineered quantum systems, starting from physical phenomena exhibited by quantum materials, integrating devices and systems subject to quantum architectures, and transforming the way in which we acquire, communicate, and process information.

Harvard University plays a leading role in the development of Quantum Science & Engineering. We invite you to learn more about our PhD program .

In Quantum Science & Engineering

• Program Website
• Core Faculty
• Faculty Research Interest Comparison
• HQI Faculty @ SEAS
• Faculty Collaborations @ SEAS

Featured Stories

A bridge from undergraduate to graduate studies

Post-baccalaureate program help students transition to the next academic level

Academics , Applied Physics , Bioengineering , Diversity / Inclusion , Environmental Science & Engineering , Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering , Optics / Photonics , Quantum Engineering , Robotics

Uncovering ‘hidden curriculum’ for those historically on outside

Quantum Noir fosters sense of community among individuals of color involved in quantum science and engineering

Diversity / Inclusion , Materials , Quantum Engineering

A quantum world on a silicon chip

Researchers develop a platform to probe, control qubits in silicon for quantum networks

Applied Physics , Quantum Engineering

Harvard Launches PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering

Program will prepare leaders of the ‘quantum revolution’

Share this page

CAMBRIDGE, MA (Monday, April 26, 2021) – Harvard University today announced one of the world’s first PhD programs in Quantum Science and Engineering , a new intellectual discipline at the nexus of physics, chemistry, computer science, and electrical engineering with the promise to profoundly transform the way we acquire, process and communicate information and interact with the world around us.

“This cross-disciplinary PhD program will prepare our students to become the leaders and innovators in the emerging field of quantum science and engineering,” said Emma Dench, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History and of the Classics. “Harvard’s interdisciplinary strength and intellectual resources make it the perfect place for them to develop their ideas, grow as scholars, and make discoveries that will change the world.”

The University is already home to a robust quantum science and engineering research community, organized under the Harvard Quantum Initiative . With the launch of the PhD program, Harvard is making the next needed commitment to provide foundational education for the next generation of innovators and leaders who will push the boundaries of knowledge and transform quantum science and engineering into useful systems, devices, and applications. 

“The new PhD program is designed to equip students with the appropriate experimental and theoretical education that reflects the nuanced intellectual approaches brought by both the sciences and engineering,” said faculty co-director Evelyn Hu , Tarr-Coyne Professor of Applied Physics and of Electrical Engineering at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). “The core curriculum dramatically reduces the time to basic quantum proficiency for a community of students who will be the future innovators, researchers, and educators in quantum science and engineering.”

“Quantum science and engineering is not just a hybrid of subjects from different disciplines, but an important new area of study in its own right,” said faculty co-director John Doyle , Henry B. Silsbee Professor of Physics. “A PhD program is necessary and foundational to the development of this new discipline.”

“America’s continued success leading the quantum revolution depends on accelerating the next generation of talent,” said Dr. Charles Tahan, assistant director for quantum information science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and director of the National Quantum Coordination Office. “It’s nice to see that a key component of Harvard’s education strategy is optimizing how core quantum-relevant concepts are taught.”

The University is also finalizing plans for the comprehensive renovation of a campus building into a new state-of-the-art quantum hub—a shared resource for the quantum community with instructional and research labs, spaces for seminars and workshops, and places for students, faculty, and visiting researchers and collaborators to meet and convene. Harvard’s quantum headquarters will integrate the educational, research, and translational aspects of the diverse field of quantum science and engineering in an architecturally cohesive way. This critical element of Harvard’s quantum strategy was made possible by generous gifts from Stacey L. and David E. Goel ‘93 and several other alumni.

“Existing technologies are reaching the limit of their capacity and cannot drive the innovation we need for the future, specifically in areas like semiconductors and the life sciences,” said Goel, co-founder and managing general partner of Waltham, Massachusetts-based Matrix Capital Management Company, LP, and one of Harvard’s most ardent supporters. “Quantum is an enabler, providing a multiplier effect on a logarithmic scale. It is a catalyst that drives scientific revolutions and epoch-making paradigm shifts.”

“Harvard is making significant institutional investments in its quantum enterprise and in the creation of a new field,” said Science Division Dean Christopher Stubbs, Samuel C. Moncher Professor of Physics and of Astronomy. Stubbs added that several active searches are underway to broaden Harvard’s faculty strength in this domain, and current faculty are building innovative partnerships with industry around quantum research.

“An incredible foundation has been laid in quantum, and we are now at an inflection point to accelerate that activity,” said SEAS Dean Frank Doyle , John A. and Elizabeth S. Armstrong Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

To enable opportunities to move from basic to applied research to translating ideas into products, Doyle described a vision for “integrated partnerships where we invite partners from the private sector to be embedded on the campus to learn from the researchers in our labs, and where our faculty connect to the private sector and national labs to learn about the cutting-edge applications and to help translate basic research into useful tools for society.”

Harvard will admit the first cohort of PhD candidates in fall 2022 and anticipates enrolling 35 to 40 students in the program. Participating faculty are drawn from physics and chemistry in Harvard’s Division of Science and in applied physics, electrical engineering, and computer science at SEAS.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences provides more information on Harvard’s PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering , including the program philosophy, curriculum, and requirements.

Harvard has a long history of leadership in quantum science and engineering. Theoretical physicist and 2005 Nobel laureate Roy Glauber is widely considered the founding father of quantum optics, and 1989 Nobel laureate Norman Ramsey pioneered much of the experimental foundation of quantum science.

Today, Harvard experimental research groups are among the leaders worldwide in areas such as quantum simulations, metrology, and quantum communications and computation, and are complemented by strong theoretical groups in computer science, physics, and chemistry.

Get the Latest Updates

Join our newsletter, subscribe to colloquy podcast, connect with us, related news.

Adverse Hospital Events and Outcomes With Private Equity Acquisition

A new study by alumni Joseph Bruch and Zirui Song reveals that private equity acquisition of hospitals, on average, was associated with increased hospital-acquired adverse events, suggesting poorer quality of inpatient care.

Colloquy Podcast: A More Accurate Map of the Universe

PhD student Clare Lamman brings astronomers closer to a more accurate inventory of the universe and everything in it by gauging the true shapes and orientations of the galaxies.

Subtle Changes Give Virus Ability to Infect Humans

A new study by HMS Professor Jonathan Abraham, PhD '10, and student Wanyu Li unravels the mechanisms through which western equine encephalitis infects humans and links changes to a reduction in illness and deaths.

How Gratitude Calms the Craving Mind

New research from a team that includes Ke Wang, PhD '24, and Charles Dorison, PhD, '20, reveals that positive emotions like gratitude could reduce appetitive risk behaviors like cigarette smoking—a leading cause of preventable death globally. 

Featured Topics

Featured series.

A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts.

Explore the Gazette

Read the latest.

How did life begin on Earth? A lightning strike of an idea.

The answer to your search may depend on where you live

Putting human past on the MAPS

Launch of pioneering ph.d. program bolsters harvard’s leadership in quantum science and engineering.

Field expected to usher in era of super-fast computing and innovation across a range of fields

Leah Burrows

SEAS Communications

Researchers used atomic-size defects in diamonds to detect and measure magnetic fields generated by spin waves.

Images courtesy of Second Bay Studios/Harvard SEAS

In the middle of the 20th century, mathematicians, physicists, and engineers at Harvard began work that would lay the foundations for a new field of study, the applications of which would change the world in ways unimaginable at the time. These pioneering computer scientists helped develop the theory and technology that would usher in the digital age.

Harvard is once again taking a leading role in a scientific and technological revolution — this time in the field of quantum science and engineering. Today, the University launched one of the world’s first Ph.D. programs in the subject, providing the foundational education for the next generation of innovators and leaders who will transform quantum science and engineering into next-level systems, devices, and applications.

The new degree is the latest step in the University’s commitment to moving forward as both a leader in research and an innovator in teaching in the field of quantum science and engineering. Harvard launched the Harvard Quantum Initiative in 2018 to foster and grow this new scientific community. And additional future plans call for the creation of a quantum hub on campus to help further integrate efforts and encourage collaboration.

“This is a pivotal time for quantum science and engineering at Harvard,” said President Larry Bacow. “With institutional collaborators including MIT and industry partners, and the support of generous donors, we are making extraordinary progress in discovery and innovation. Our faculty and students are driving progress that will reshape our world through quantum computing, networking, cryptography, materials, and sensing, as well as emerging areas of promise that will yield advances none of us can yet imagine.”

“This cross disciplinary Ph.D. program will prepare our students to become the leaders and innovators in the emerging field of quantum science and engineering,” said Emma Dench, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. “Harvard’s interdisciplinary strength and intellectual resources make it the perfect place for them to develop their ideas, grow as scholars, and make discoveries that will change the world.”

At the nexus of physics, chemistry, computer science, and electrical engineering, quantum science and technology promises to profoundly change the way we acquire, process, and communicate information. Imagine a computer that could sequence a person’s genome in a matter of seconds or an un-hackable communications system that could make data breaches a thing of the past. Quantum technology will usher in game-changing innovations in health care, infrastructure, security, drug development, climate-change prediction, machine learning, financial services, and more.

Researchers excited and detected spin waves in a quantum Hall ferromagnet, spending them through the insulating material like waves in a pond.

The University is building partnerships with government agencies and national laboratories to advance quantum technologies and educate the next generation of quantum scientists. Harvard researchers will play a major role in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Quantum Information Science (QIS) Research Centers, aimed at bolstering the nation’s global competitiveness and security. As part of the centers, Harvard researchers will:

• develop and study the next generation of quantum materials that are resilient, controllable, and scalable;
• use quantum-sensing techniques to explore the exotic properties of quantum materials for applications in numerous quantum technologies;
• construct a quantum simulator out of ultra-cold molecules to attack important problems in materials development and test the performance of new types of quantum computation;
• develop topological quantum materials for manipulating, transferring, and storing information for quantum computers and sensors;
• investigate how quantum computers can meaningfully speed up answers to real-world scientific problems and create new tools to quantify this advantage and performance.

In partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Harvard University Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) has helped develop curriculum and educator activities that will help K‒12 students engage with quantum information science. CIQM is also collaborating with the Learning Center for the Deaf to create quantum science terms in American Sign Language .

“Breakthrough research happens when you create the right community of scholars around the right ideas at the right time,” said Claudine Gay, the Edgerley Family Dean of the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences. “The Harvard Quantum Initiative builds on Harvard’s historic strength in the core disciplines of quantum science by drawing together cross-cutting faculty talent into a community committed to thinking broadly and boldly about the many problems where quantum innovations may offer a solution. This new approach to quantum science will open the way for new partnerships to advance the field, but perhaps even more importantly, it promises to make Harvard the training ground for the next generation of breakthrough scientists who could change the way we live and work.”

“Harvard’s missions are to excel at education and research, and these are closely related,” said John Doyle, the Henry B. Silsbee Professor of Physics and co-director of HQI. “Being at — and sometimes defining — the frontier of research keeps our education vibrant and meaningful to students. We aim to teach a broad range of students to think about the physical world in this new, quantum way as this is crucial to creating a strong community of future leaders in science and engineering. Tight focus on both research and teaching in quantum will develop Harvard into the leading institution in this area and keep the country at the forefront of this critical area of knowledge.”

Quantum at Harvard: ‘A game-changing’ moment

A conversation with SEAS Dean Frank Doyle, John A. and Elizabeth S. Armstrong Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Science Division Dean Christopher Stubbs, Samuel C. Moncher Professor of Physics and of Astronomy.

Transcript:

Doyle: We’re at a game changing point in science and technology. We’re poised to enable translation breakthroughs in our applications of that understanding to broadly stated information science, so networking, signal processing, encryption, communications, computing and simulation.

Stubbs: What we’re talking about, looking to the future, exploits the really spooky parts of quantum mechanics, about the relationship of information in spatially separated systems and trying to harness that technologically and bringing it to bear on problems in networking, computing, and sensing systems.

I think we’re learning more about the way the world works every day, and we’re interested here at Harvard in knitting that understanding together across different traditionally separated fields and pulling together an integrated effort that pulls together, computer science, electrical engineering, physics systems engineering, and tries to use these to build new tools to make life better for everybody.

Doyle: Chris, I completely agree, and I would say that one thing, I recognize deeply as the dean on the engineering side is that foundations are critical to achieving success in the domain of innovation or translation, whatever the application space might be. We have to have that core body of knowledge supporting and enabling really a continuum from basic science through applied science, ultimately to engineering. I would also point to the fact that we are modestly scaled compared to some of our peers, which I think empowers us with agility and nimbleness that allows us to quickly assemble the teams that cross the spectrum of these disciplines that we need to harness, and that’s a real strength here at Harvard as well.

Stubbs: I would say we’re making significant institutional investments in this enterprise. We’ve identified a building, working in partnership across the university, that’s going to be put to use for this activity, with new labs, new teaching labs. We will fill that space with colleagues that we intend to bring to campus to strengthen our faculty in this domain. We’re building a strong and vibrant educational program. And I think an important element to include here is that we see this as a way to reach all the way into applications at scale, and we’re building partnerships with industrial partners, ranging from startups-sized companies to major national corporations that are going to have the ability to bring these ideas to bear at scale and impact people’s lives in a positive way.

Doyle: I would say that this opportunity has tremendous potential across a wide array of fields and applications, from more traditional engineering fields like communications, cybersecurity, network science, but across an even broader array of fields including finance (thinking about the new kinds of algorithms that are going to power the future of things like trading and stress testing the market); precision medicine; the quantum principles that we’re going to be able to leverage in devices that will now interrogate at unprecedented scale — spatial and temporal — to bring information back that we can act upon. So it’s virtually a limitless horizon of application opportunities out there.

Stubbs: We’re fortunate in the Boston area to have another university down the road, whose initials are MIT, with which, in particular in this technical domain, we have strong existing partnerships among the faculty. We view this as moving forward arm-in-arm with sister institutions in this region to establish Boston as one of the premier centers in the nation for both innovation, education, and application of this new technology.

Doyle: Our faculties partnering across Harvard and MIT have been doing this for literally decades. So there’s an incredible organic foundation that has been laid in the Greater Cambridge, Greater Boston space that we’re now turning an inflection point to accelerate that activity.

The field of quantum really opens up some exciting partnership opportunities, which we’re exploring with great passion. The notion that the continuum from the university and basic research and applied research, through to getting products in the market, through getting operational networks, operational systems is one that truly is a continuum. So there has to be integrated partnerships, where we invite partners in the private sector in to be embedded on the campus to learn from the researchers in our labs, where we embed our faculty out in the private sector in national labs to learn about the cutting edge applications that need to drive and fuel the research taking place back on the campus. So I really view this as a wonderful new opportunity to rethink the nature of how the private sector and the academy partner to enable the ultimate translation into products, technologies that are going to benefit mankind.

Edited for length.

The University’s location within the Greater Boston ecosystem of innovation and discovery is one of its greatest strengths.

A recent collaboration between Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and University quantum physicists resulted in a proof-of-concept algorithm to dramatically speed up the analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NNMR) readings to identify biomarkers of specific diseases and disorders, reducing the process from days to just minutes.

A multidisciplinary team of electrical engineers and physicists from Harvard and MIT are building the infrastructure for tomorrow’s quantum internet , including quantum repeaters, quantum memory storage, and quantum networking nodes, and developing the key technologies to connect quantum processors over local and global scales.

“We are moving forward arm in arm with sister institutions in this region, most notably MIT, to establish Boston as one of the premier centers in the nation for both education and developing technologies that we anticipate will have significant impact on society,” said Christopher Stubbs, science division dean and Samuel C. Moncher Professor of Physics and of Astronomy.

  “We are excited to see the ever-growing opportunities for collaboration in quantum science and engineering at Harvard, in the Boston community, and beyond,” said Evelyn L. Hu, the Tarr-Coyne Professor of Electrical Engineering and Applied Science at SEAS and co-director of the Harvard Quantum Initiative. “Harvard is committed to sustaining that growth and fostering a strong community of students, faculty, and inventors, both locally and nationwide.”

Fiber-optical networks, the backbone of the internet, rely on high-fidelity information conversion from electrical to the optical domain. The researchers combined the best optical material with innovative nanofabrication and design approaches, to realize, energy-efficient, high-speed, low-loss, electro-optic converters for quantum and classical communications.

“Building a vibrant community and ecosystem is essential for bringing the benefits of quantum research to different fields of science and society,” said Mikhail Lukin, George Vasmer Leverett Professor of Physics and co-director of HQI. “Quantum at Harvard aims to integrate unique strengths of university research groups, government labs, established companies, and startups to not only advance foundational quantum science and engineering but also to build and to enable broad access to practical quantum systems.”

To facilitate those collaborations, the University is finalizing plans for the comprehensive renovation of an existing campus building into a new quantum hub — a shared resource for the quantum community with instructional and research labs, seminar and workshop spaces, meeting spaces for students and faculty, and space for visiting researchers and collaborators. The quantum headquarters will integrate the educational, research, and translational aspects of the diverse field of quantum science and engineering in an architecturally cohesive way.

This critical element of Harvard’s quantum strategy was made possible by a generous gift from Stacey L. and David E. Goel ’93 and gifts from several other alumni who stepped forward to support HQI. David Goel, co-founder and managing general partner of Waltham, Mass.-based Matrix Capital Management Co. and one of Harvard’s most ardent supporters, said his gift was inspired both by recognizing Harvard’s “intellectual dynamism and leadership in quantum” and a sense of the utmost urgency to pursue opportunities in this field. “Our existing technologies are reaching the limit of their capacity and cannot drive the innovation we need for the future, specifically in areas like semiconductors, technology, and the life sciences. Quantum is an enabler, providing a multiplier effect on a logarithmic scale. It is a catalyst that drives the kinds of scientific revolutions and epoch-making paradigm shifts.”

Electrodes stretch diamond strings to increase the frequency of atomic vibrations to which an electron is sensitive, just like tightening a guitar string increases the frequency or pitch of the string. The tension quiets a qubit’s environment and improves memory from tens to several hundred nanoseconds, enough time to do many operations on a quantum chip.

Goel credits the academic leaders and their “commitment to ensuring that Harvard’s community will be at the forefront of the science that is already changing the world.”

The University is also building partnerships with industry partners, ranging from startups to major national corporations, that are preparing to bring quantum technologies to the public.

“An incredible foundation has been laid in quantum at Harvard, and we are now at an inflection point to accelerate that activity and build on the momentum that has already made Harvard a leader in the field,” said Frank Doyle, SEAS dean and John A. and Elizabeth S. Armstrong Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “Research happening right now in Harvard labs is significantly advancing our understanding of quantum science and engineering and positioning us to make breathtaking new discoveries and industry-leading translation breakthroughs.”

To enable opportunities to move from basic to applied research to translating ideas into products, Doyle described a vision for “integrated partnerships where we invite partners from the private sector to be embedded on the campus to learn from the researchers in our labs and where our faculty connect to the private sector and national labs to learn about the cutting-edge applications, as well as help translate of basic research into useful tools for society.”

  “We are at the early stages of a technological transformation, similar or maybe even grander than the excitement and the promise that came with the birth of computer science — and Harvard is at the forefront,” Stubbs said.

Share this article

More like this.

Harvard partners with national labs on quantum computing

Riding the quantum computing ‘wave’

Toward an unhackable quantum internet

You might like.

Researchers mimic early conditions on barren planet to test hypothesis of ancient electrochemistry

Researchers find ‘language bias’ in various site algorithms, raising concerns about fallout for social divisions among nations

Harvard digital atlas plots patterns from history ancient and modern

Garber to serve as president through 2026-27 academic year

Search for successor will launch in 2026

Finding right mix on campus speech policies

Legal, political scholars discuss balancing personal safety, constitutional rights, academic freedom amid roiling protests, cultural shifts

Good genes are nice, but joy is better

Harvard study, almost 80 years old, has proved that embracing community helps us live longer, and be happier

GRADUATE RESEARCH

Quantum Computing

Doctoral student research in quantum computing.

Quantum computing has emerged as an alternative computational model. Realizing the practical acceleration using a Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum computer is one of the most important problems of our century. While prototypes are being built now, moving computations to a fully-functional fault-tolerant quantum computer still faces many technical hurdles.

Key challenges are scalability, i.e., the ability to coherently manipulate information stored in a multi-qubit system, and devising efficient algorithmic solutions that take advantage of quantum hardware. At Rice CS, we cover multiple subfields of quantum information science and computing including (hybrid/variational) quantum algorithms and quantum characterization/verification.

Faculty members leading research in Quantum Computing are as follows:

• Nai-Hui Chia  
• Anastasios Kyrillidis
• Tirthak Patel

The videos below represent current student research projects. 

Graduate Research Videos in Quantitative Computing

UCL Quantum Science and Technology Institute

Quantum Doctoral Programmes

• How to Apply
• Industrially Co-Supervised Projects
• Information for International Applicants
• Information for Referees
• PhD Projects
• Structure of the Programme
• Summer Placements

UCL is launching a new Doctoral Training Programme focussing on quantum computation and quantum communications.

From 2024, UCL will train emerging research leaders in the fields of quantum computing and quantum communications.

This new doctorial training programme will equip them with the necessary expertise and practical knowledge to fulfil the potential of this ground-breaking field. Students will undergo a comprehensive and rigorous cross-disciplinary training programme, collaboratively designed by a diverse team of UCL academics and our extensive network of partners.

Interested in applying?

• Apply to the new quantum computing and quantum communications PhD programme

Deadline for applications: Sunday 4 February 2024 at 23:59 UTC.

We particularly encourage applications from female students & students of minority ethnic backgrounds as these are currently underrepresented within the field of quantum technologies.

The fields of quantum computation and quantum communications are at a pivotal juncture, as the next decade will determine whether the long-anticipated technological advancements can be realised in practical, commercially-viable applications.

With a wide-ranging spectrum of research group activities at UCL, the programme is uniquely situated to offer comprehensive training across all levels of the quantum computation and quantum communications system stacks. This encompasses advanced algorithms and quantum error-correcting codes, the full range of qubit hardware platforms, quantum communications, quantum network architectures, and quantum simulation.

The programme has been co-developed through a partnership between UCL and a network of UK and international partners. This network encompasses major global technology giants such as IBM, Amazon Web Services and Toshiba, as well as leading suppliers of quantum engineering systems like Keysight, Bluefors, Oxford Instruments and Zurich Instruments. We also have end-users of quantum technologies, including BT, Thales, NPL, and NQCC, in addition to a diverse group of UK and international SMEs operating in both quantum hardware (IQM, NuQuantum, Quantum Motion, SeeQC, Pasqal, Oxford Ionics, Universal Quantum, Oxford Quantum Circuits and Quandela) and quantum software (Quantinuum, Phase Craft and River Lane).

Our partners will deliver key components of the training programme. Notably, BT will deliver training in quantum comms theory and experiments, IBM will teach quantum programming, and Quantum Motion will lead a training experiment on semiconductor qubits. Furthermore, 17 of our partners will co-sponsor and co-supervise PhD projects in collaboration with UCL academics.

The four-year course consists of a 6-month cohort-based intensive training programme (ITP) followed by a 42-month research project phase (RPP) leading to the PhD degree.

The ITP gives a broad overview of all the sub-topics within quantum computation and quantum communications, while the RPP allows specialisation and in-depth focus on a specific experimental or theoretical topic. There is however no hard boundary between the phases - there is research activity within the ITP, and cohort-based technical and transferable skills training in the RPP.

Find out more about the structure of the programme.

At the application stage (i.e. in the spring prior to enrolment) students will have the opportunity to apply for industrially co-sponsored and co-supervised projects and/or the General Track.

In the industrially co-supervised track we will advertise specific industrially co-sponsored PhD projects and will recruit students to work on each specific project.

In the general track students will apply to join the programme without a specific PhD project in mind.

Once the students are enrolled, both tracks come together and work as a single unified cohort on common training activities.

To select a track, you will need to complete a  supplementary information form. More information can be found on the how to apply page. 

A full list of the co-sponsored and co-supervised projects for this year.

We aim to admit around 14 students per year. There is a pool of around fifty potential supervisors at UCL, with additional supervisors in our partner institutions.

The programme offers fully funded studentships covering tuition fees and a stipend at an enhanced rate (currently £21,622 per annum tax-free) to cover living costs. Students also receive generous support for training, research expenses and travel during their studies. A limited number of funded places are available for non-UK candidates which will additionally cover the higher tuition fees charged for those students.

Yes! Our quantum doctoral training programmes have admitted students from all over the globe. We have funding for international students in each cohort and welcome their application. Please follow this link for further information on funding for international students and language and visa requirements.

If you have a general question about quantum doctoral training, please contact Ms Lopa Murgai ( [email protected] ) in the first instance. If your question is regarding quantum doctoral training admissions, please contact Admissions Tutor Dr Alfonso Ruocco ( [email protected] ).

• Director: Prof Paul Warburton (LCN / Electrical Engineering)
• Deputy Director: Prof Andrew Fisher (LCN/ Physics and Astronomy)
• Co-Director for Research: Prof Sougato Bose (Physics and Astronomy)
• Co-Director for ITP Training: Prof Dan Browne (Physics and Astronomy)
• Co-Director for RPP Training: Prof Marzena Szymanska (Physics and Astronomy)
• Co-Director for Partner Liaison: Dr Alejandra Beghelli (Electrical Engineering)
• Co-Director for Admissions: Dr Alfonso Ruocco (Electrical Engineering)
• Co-Director for ED&I, and Associate Lecturer: Dr Abbie Bray (LCN)
• Other members of the Management Committee: Prof John Morton (LCN/ Electrical Engineering) and Dr Sarah Malik (Physics and Astronomy)
• Programme Manager, Lopa Murgai (LCN)
• Programme Administrator: Ruby Hugh (LCN)

Explore your training options in 10 minutes Get Started

• Graduate Stories
• Partner Spotlights
• Bootcamp Prep
• Bootcamp Admissions
• University Bootcamps
• Coding Tools
• Software Engineering
• Web Development
• Data Science
• Tech Guides
• Tech Resources
• Career Advice
• Online Learning
• Internships
• Apprenticeships
• Tech Salaries
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• University Admissions
• Best Schools
• Certifications
• Bootcamp Financing
• Higher Ed Financing
• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Best Coding Bootcamps
• Best Online Bootcamps
• Best Web Design Bootcamps
• Best Data Science Bootcamps
• Best Technology Sales Bootcamps
• Best Data Analytics Bootcamps
• Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps
• Best Digital Marketing Bootcamps
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Browse All Locations
• Digital Marketing
• Machine Learning
• See All Subjects
• Bootcamps 101
• Full-Stack Development
• Career Changes
• View all Career Discussions
• Mobile App Development
• Cybersecurity
• Product Management
• UX/UI Design
• What is a Coding Bootcamp?
• Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It?
• How to Choose a Coding Bootcamp
• Best Online Coding Bootcamps and Courses
• Best Free Bootcamps and Coding Training
• Coding Bootcamp vs. Community College
• Coding Bootcamp vs. Self-Learning
• Bootcamps vs. Certifications: Compared
• What Is a Coding Bootcamp Job Guarantee?
• How to Pay for Coding Bootcamp
• Ultimate Guide to Coding Bootcamp Loans
• Best Coding Bootcamp Scholarships and Grants
• Education Stipends for Coding Bootcamps
• Get Your Coding Bootcamp Sponsored by Your Employer
• GI Bill and Coding Bootcamps
• Tech Intevriews
• Our Enterprise Solution
• Connect With Us
• Publication
• Reskill America
• Partner With Us

• Resource Center
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree

Best Doctorates in Quantum Computing: Top PhD Programs, Career Paths, and Salaries

After earning a master’s degree, most graduates set their sights on a doctoral degree or PhD. A PhD is the highest level of education, and earning this esteemed degree will skyrocket your employability potential, industry credibility, and salary range. In this article, we share the best PhDs in Quantum Computing and the expected PhD in Quantum Computing salary.

Besides being highly paid, this field of study offers many exciting opportunities to work with pioneering theory in quantum information technology. PhD in Quantum Computing students will participate in ground-breaking research and upon graduation will be eligible for the best quantum computing jobs in the tech industry.

Find your bootcamp match

What is a phd in quantum computing.

A PhD in Quantum Computing is the highest level of education for professionals in quantum technology. The degree takes four to six years to complete and covers different quantum computing theories, including quantum simulation, quantum sensing, quantum communication, and quantum information theory. The PhD degree facilitates advanced research and facilitates innovative discoveries.

How to Get Into a Quantum Computing PhD Program: Admission Requirements

The core requirements to get into a quantum computing PhD program are a master’s degree in computer science, math, physics, or a related field, a resume highlighting your work experience, letters of recommendation, and a GRE or GMAT score. Additional admission requirements include application fees, English proficiency test scores, transcripts, a statement of purpose, essays, and a high GPA.

Generally, these are the minimum PhD admission requirements, but the prerequisites can differ from school to school. You will find a detailed list of requirements on the selected school’s website.

PhD in Quantum Computing Admission Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Master’s degree in Physics, Computer Science, or a related field
• GRE, GMAT, and English proficiency test scores
• Two or three letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Transcripts

Quantum Computing PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Quantum Computing?

It is extremely hard to get into a PhD program in quantum computing. Quantum computing is difficult to learn, and a PhD demands a lot of attention to detail, research, and one-on-one interactions between students and professors. That means that universities maintain small class sizes to ensure student success.

The Council of Graduate Schools survey indicates that the overall PhD acceptance rate is 22.3 percent . Public universities accept approximately 26.4 percent of applicants, while private universities accept 16.3 percent of applicants. These numbers will vary by school. For example, the University of South Carolina admits 10-15 percent of its PhD applicants , and Harvard University admits approximately seven percent of the doctoral degree applicants.

How to Get Into the Best Universities

[query_class_embed] how-to-get-into-*school

Best PhDs in Quantum Computing: In Brief

Best Universities for Quantum Computing PhDs: Where to Get a PhD in Quantum Computing

The best PhD quantum computing programs offer quality instruction in advanced quantum computing topics, research work, and unique assistantship opportunities. Some institutions also offer the flexibility of online learning.  Keep reading for an overview of the best quantum computing PhD programs, including admission requirements and funding opportunities.

California Institute of Technology , also known as Caltech, is a private institution known for its research in science and engineering. The university was founded in 1891 and offers a wide range of graduate options, including astrophysics, medical engineering, neurobiology, chemistry, applied mechanics, and computing and mathematical sciences.

Caltech is currently involved in several research initiatives where students can contribute through assistantships or coursework.

PhD in Computing and Mathematical Sciences

A PhD in Computing and Mathematical Sciences accommodates students with a background in applied math, economics, electrical engineering, physical sciences, and computer science. You will delve into a wide range of topics such as algorithms, machine learning, signal processing, statistics, data interpretation, and laws of quantum mechanics.

You will participate in quantum and information computation research , where you will learn from world-class faculty and contribute to ongoing research. Additionally, you will select a research advisor who will guide you through the ins and outs of your dissertation.

PhD in Computing and Mathematical Sciences Overview

• Program Length: Six years
• Acceptance Rate: 7%
• Tuition and Fees: $58,467/year
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Assistantships, external fellowship, institute fellowship, parent support program, and federal, institute, and short-term emergency loans

PhD in Computing and Mathematical Sciences Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Official and unofficial transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose
• An updated resume
• English proficiency test scores
• $100 application fee or fee waiver form

Capitol Technology University was founded in 1927 and is a premier institution for STEM programs. The graduate school is known for its programs in information technology, business, computer science, and engineering. Capital Tech offers twenty-nine graduate programs, which are all online.

PhD in Quantum Computing

The PhD in Quantum Computing prepares you for many careers. Upon graduation, you can work as a quantum computing director, senior quantum systems engineer, or director of financial quantum computing. The quantum computing industry is growing rapidly, and Capitol aims to equip PhD students with the vital skills that meet industry needs. 

The curriculum features six-credit coursework that takes you from the foundational stages of a dissertation thesis to completion. Students can select between a thesis and publication option to meet graduation requirements. Capitol Tech PhD graduates demonstrate mastery in quantum computing, theoretical basis, and practical applications, as well as proficiency in research.

PhD in Quantum Computing Overview

• Program Length: Two to four years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: $933/credit
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition discounts, loans, assistantships, veteran benefits, scholarships
• Master’s in relevant field
• Resume demonstrating at least five years of work experience
• Two recommendation forms
• 1000 to 2000-word essay
• $100 application fee

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is one of the best private Ivy League universities worldwide. The university is known for its commitment to research, high-quality education, and a strong academic community. Harvard's graduate school offers over 50 graduate programs and guarantees five years of funding for all PhD students.

PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering

You will complete this PhD under the Harvard Quantum Initiative , a program only available for PhD students. The degree prepares you for diverse research careers that require knowledge of quantum mechanics methods. 

You will cover quantum simulation, sensing, and computation. PhD students begin research work in their first year through lab rotations and engage in extensive mentoring programs. Communication training is also a part of the program.

PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering Overview

• Program Length: Five years
• Tuition and Fees: $52,456/year for the first two years of study                  
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, grants, research assistantships, traineeships, stipends, federal student aid, loans, veteran benefits

PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, or a related field
• $105 application fee

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private land-grant university founded in 1861. The university is known for its research contributions across various industries. It prioritizes education, research, and innovation. MIT's department of physics contributes to innovation by offering doctoral programs in statistics, data science, and physics.

PhD in Physics, Statistics, and Data Science

At the MIT Physics Department, PhD students will learn probability theory, modeling with machine learning, natural language programming, statistical physics, and linear algebra. As an MIT PhD student, you will acquire essential research skills in probability, statistics, computation, and data analysis, and integrate these into your dissertation thesis. You can choose from a wide selection of research areas and specialize in quantum information science.

PhD in Physics, Statistics, and Data Science Overview

• Program Length: 3-7 years, 5.6 years on average
• Acceptance Rate: 9%
• Tuition and Fees: $27,755/term        
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships

PhD in Physics, Statistics, Data Science Admission Requirement

• $75 application fee
• Unofficial transcripts
• 3-6 letters of recommendation
• Statement of objectives

Purdue University is a  public university founded in 1869 by the Indiana General Assembly. It was named after John Purdue, who contributed over $100,000 to the school’s establishment. Purdue has undergone many upgrades to become one of the leading research institutions worldwide.

Purdue upholds student-centered traditions and prides itself on a solid alumni network comprising former undergraduate and graduate students. Purdue’s graduate school offers over 160 programs. Graduate students have the opportunity to develop innovative projects in different areas, including business, technology, health care, and food consumption.

PhD in Physics                     

Purdue University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy maintains a commitment to producing highly-qualified scientists who thrive in the professional sector. Students will explore different courses and receive mentorship from over 50 faculty members, including members of the National Academy of Sciences.

The program offers many research areas, but you can specialize in quantum information science. This area of study allows you to conduct research in information theory, optical physics, and condensed matter systems. It also qualifies you as a member of the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute Research Group, where you will contribute to ongoing research at the university.

PhD in Physics Overview

• Program Length: Three to four years
• Acceptance Rate: 30%
• Tuition and Fees: $347.85/ credit (in state), $948.30/ credit (out of state)      
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Assistantships, fellowships, grants, loans, scholarships

PhD in Physics Admission Requirements

• Master’s degree in relevant field
• $60 application fee
• GRE scores (optional)
• Official transcripts

UC Berkeley is a renowned public research university located in sunny California. The university was founded in 1868 and is known for its high academic standards, unique undergraduate programs, and extensive academic offerings. 

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Graduate students at UC Berkeley can select from over 100 graduate degrees and various exchange programs. As a student, you will participate in innovative research while interacting with a diverse student community.

PhD in Physics

The physics department at UC Berkeley has designed this PhD program to provide students with a holistic learning experience. Once you demonstrate your competence to pursue the program, you will begin extensive coursework in quantum mechanics. 

The faculty mentors will advise you on the best quantum research programs before your preliminary exam. Once you pass the exam, you will start your research and submit progress reports until the last stage. Students complete the candidacy and defend their dissertation before a dignified thesis committee.

• Tuition and Fees: $5,721/semester
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, federal student loans, scholarships
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• $120 application fee
• 3.0 GPA scores
• Physics GRE test scores (optional)

The University of Chicago is among the leading research universities worldwide. It was founded in 1890 and is known for its state-of-the-art resources, numerous affiliations to innovators and award winners, and an exciting graduate life. Graduate students have access to many doctoral programs in the professional schools, including the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering offers this degree to successful PhD applicants. This degree lets you interact with industry experts in quantum science. You will learn about fundamental and applied quantum science, explore courses that shape your future within the quantum computing industry, and receive valuable thesis advice from outstanding advisors.

To graduate, you must complete nine core, specialized, and elective courses. Additionally, you will complete the teaching assistantship at the university after approval from the Vice Dean for Education and Outreach and the Dean of Students. You can also apply for work at several quantum research firms like the Chicago Quantum Exchange.

• Tuition and Fees: $19,204/quarter   
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships
• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM field
• $90 application fee

University of Maryland is a world-renowned public research university founded in 1856. The land-grant institution offers over 230 graduate programs and confers at least 2,800 degrees every year. UMD is known for its extensive research in various fields, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence and robotics, cybersecurity, and computational biology.

PhD in Computer Science

The program targets those looking to expand their knowledge in areas of computer science through research. You must understand computer science fundamentals and demonstrate your ability to engage in extensive research work. Selecting the quantum computing area of study allows you to delve into quantum mechanics for computational complexity, data transmission, information processing, and cryptographic security.

You will work with a world-class faculty to uncover innovations in quantum computers and how quantum computing principles apply to classical computers. The associated faculty currently investigates different topics, including programming languages, quantum algorithms, and hardware architectures. You can also apply for assistantships at the university’s new Quantum Startup Foundry.

PhD in Computer Science Overview

• Program Length: Four years
• Acceptance Rate: 22.8%
• Tuition and Fees: $768/credit (in state), $1,706/credit (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Assistantship, fellowship, grants

PhD in Computer Science Admission Requirements

• GRE (optional)
• 3.5 GPA (recommended)

If you are interested in pursuing your quantum computing doctoral abroad, you should apply to the University of Oxford. The University of Oxford is a leading academic institution known for contributing to research and its rigorous academic programs. The university prides itself on years of solid history as one of the oldest universities worldwide, dating back to 1096.   

The university offers a wide range of degree programs, including over 300 graduate courses. PhD students also access many research resources, including dedicated research groups like Quantum Group .

Quantum computing research at the University of Oxford leans into the university’s rich history, combining prior computing milestones with current quantum computing principles. You will pursue a PhD in Computer Science, where you’ll pursue cutting-edge research as part of the Quantum Group, and specialize in quantum science. 

• Acceptance Rate: 18.5%
• Tuition and Fees: $10,766/ year (citizens), $35,670/year (international students)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Loans, studentships, scholarships, teaching assistantships
• First-class or high second-class bachelor’s degree with honors and a master’s degree in a relevant field
• Detailed resume
• Letters of recommendation
• $93.70 application fee

The University of Waterloo began operations in 1957 and has transformed into a premier public research university. It is a large university, sitting on over 1,000 acres and with an undergraduate enrollment of 36,020 students. Students can select doctoral programs from a list of over 190 graduate programs, including actuarial science, civil engineering, computer science, and nanotechnology.

PhD in Computer Science (Quantum Information)

You will complete this doctoral degree at the Institute of Quantum Computing. Students who select the quantum information area of study explore topics such as quantum biology, nanoelectronics-based quantum information processing, optical quantum information, and quantum devices.

Upon graduation, you will have the expertise to lead and contribute to advanced quantum computing research projects.

PhD in Computer Science (Quantum Information) Overview

• Program Length: Four to five years
• Tuition and Fees: $2,254/term (citizens), $7,396/term (international students)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Scholarships, university funding, grants, bursaries, loans, assistantships

PhD in Computer Science (Quantum Information) Admission Requirements

• Master’s in Physics with at least 75% standing
• $125 application fee
• Three reference letters
• English proficiency tests
• Letter of admission and study permit for international students

Can You Get a PhD in Quantum Computing Online?

Yes, you can get a PhD in Quantum Computing online. As technology continues to offer more flexibility, universities are adjusting their PhD learning formats, allowing students to complete these degrees at their pace and from desired locations. Below are the top five schools for an online PhD in Quantum Computing.

Best Online PhD Programs in Quantum Computing

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Quantum Computing?

It takes four to seven years to get a PhD in Quantum Computing. Students must complete advanced quantum computing coursework, pass a comprehensive exam, and submit original research work demonstrating quantum computing applications. The original research, also referred to as a dissertation, plays a significant role in determining how long your PhD takes.

Is a PhD in Quantum Computing Hard?

Yes, a PhD in Quantum Computing is hard. You must develop in-depth knowledge of quantum computers and the process of designing, developing, and building fully-functional quantum machines. A PhD in Quantum Computing involves advanced coursework that includes quantum mechanics, physics, computational intelligence, and big data. These courses are very technical and challenging for any student.

You must also submit an extensive original dissertation, which involves a lot of research. Generally, the dissertation totals 70,000 to 100,000 words. You will spend months discovering new quantum computing theories, developing concepts, and defending everything you discover. In a nutshell, you must be ready and committed before pursuing a PhD in Quantum Computing.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Quantum Computing?

It costs $8,000-$50,000 per year to get a PhD in Quantum Computing. According to a 2019 survey by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PhD students in public institutions pay an average of $11,495 per year. Meanwhile, private institution tuition and fees average $23,138 per year.

It is important to note that these figures don’t represent the full cost of attendance, and you should also consider the cost of living, transportation, and supplies. You can always find the right estimate on the school’s website or through the admissions team.

How to Pay for a PhD in Quantum Computing: PhD Funding Options

The PhD funding options that students can use to pay for a PhD in Quantum Computing include federal grad student loans, scholarships and grants, fellowships, assistantships, and self-funding.

Funding for quantum computing grad students comes from different sources, including universities, charities, government bodies, and quantum computing research institutions. You can find reliable funding options by talking to your peers, building your portfolio, saving up, or pursuing funded PhD programs in Quantum Computing.

Best Online Master’s Degrees

[query_class_embed] online-*subject-masters-degrees

What Is the Difference Between a Quantum Computing Master’s Degree and PhD?

The differences between a quantum computing master’s degree and PhD are the time frame, coursework, funding, and career opportunities. Generally, students complete a Master’s in Quantum Computing before pursuing a PhD, but it is not mandatory for all academic institutions. A PhD takes approximately four to seven years, whereas you can complete your master’s in two years.

The PhD curriculum is very advanced compared to the master’s degree . You must submit a dissertation of your original research work and complete a comprehensive exam before earning your PhD. A PhD in Quantum Computing is also more expensive, but you have access to more funding avenues, including fellowships and assistantships.

Master’s vs. PhD in Quantum Computing Job Outlook

The job outlook for quantum computing professionals with a master’s degree is slightly higher than those with a PhD in the same field. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates computer and information scientists have a 22 percent job growth rate. These include quantum computing researchers, engineers, and scientists.

On the other hand, BLS classifies senior quantum computing professionals under physicists and astronomers, representing an 8 percent job growth rate over the next ten years. The job outlook may differ because a Master’s in Quantum Computing prepares you for industrial-oriented jobs, whereas a PhD is more focused on research and academic careers.

The difference in Salary for Quantum Computing Master’s vs. PhD

The salary difference for quantum computing master’s and PhD holders is slightly different, with PhD graduates earning more. Although there are no specific salary outlooks for quantum computing, PayScale statistics highlight salaries for computing professionals.

Generally, a PhD in Computing makes you eligible for an average salary of $134,000 per year , while a Master’s in Computing will earn you an average of $111,000 per year . Remember, these are blanket figures for computing jobs, and the salary will differ depending on your job title, location, and employer.

Related Quantum Computing Degrees

[query_class_embed] https://careerkarma.com/blog/computer-science-bachelors-degrees/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/best-online-computer-science-bachelors-degrees/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/best-online-computer-science-masters-degrees/

Why You Should Get a PhD in Quantum Computing

You should get a PhD in Quantum Computing because of the career opportunities, higher earning potential, and extensive knowledge and research opportunities this degree provides. In addition, quantum computing is a highly technical field, and pursuing a PhD allows you to explore uncharted areas of this rapidly growing field.

Reasons for Getting a PhD in Quantum Computing

• Research Opportunities. A PhD involves a lot of research work, allowing you to make valuable contributions to the field of quantum computers. You will spend a year or more completing your dissertation of original research and making innovative discoveries, which will enhance your knowledge of quantum computing.
• Higher Earning Potential. A PhD in Quantum Computing is the highest level of education, which means you can negotiate for higher salaries in any job. Although PhD holders have a lower job outlook, they will still earn more than master’s degree holders and undergraduate professionals.
• Career Opportunities. With advancements in quantum technology, more people pursue computing careers, which makes this field a highly competitive industry. Earning a PhD in Quantum Computing places you ahead of your competition. It is a highly technical field that requires extensive knowledge, and employers will prioritize those with advanced credentials.
• Become a Quantum Computing Expert.  Through extensive research, projects, and advanced coursework, you will gain expert-level knowledge of quantum computers and become an expert in all things quantum computing. Quantum computing PhD holders gain advanced skills in various areas, including quantum research, algorithmic thinking, and quantum software tools.
• Reach your Full Potential. Earning a PhD in Quantum Computing allows you to reach your full potential. Pursuing a PhD in Quantum Computing is very hard and tests your resilience. Committing to the end allows you to grow professionally and individually through discipline and dedication.

Getting a PhD in Quantum Computing: Quantum Computing PhD Coursework

Getting a PhD in Quantum Computing involves completing extensive coursework that tackles every area of quantum computing. The standard quantum computing PhD coursework includes advanced courses, comprehensive exams, research work, assistantships, and a dissertation thesis. Below is a further analysis of the coursework, graduation requirements, and career outlook.

Quantum Optics

Quantum optics is an area of physics that focuses on applying quantum mechanics principles to occurrences involving light. You will learn about the nature of individual quanta of light, known as a proton, and its interaction with atoms and molecules. You will also explore the history of quantum optics, the first significant developments, and their applications to quantum computing.

Quantum Information Processing

Quantum information processing (QIP) is a core quantum computing course because it tackles an important part of the quantum computing system. This course will teach you how to process, analyze, and interpret quantum data using quantum information processing techniques. You will also explore quantum circuits, quantum control, quantum error-correction systems, quantum complexity theory, and quantum algorithms.

Implementation of Quantum Information Processors

In this course, you will discover the obstacles to implementing a quantum computing device and how to overcome them. You will learn about minimizing control and manipulation to achieve gate operations and the significance of quantum processors in QIP. You will also discover how quantum processors perform calculations based on probability.

Quantum Material Modeling

Quantum materials include topological insulators, magnets, superconductors, and multiferroics. You will learn how quantum materials affect current theory and contribute to quantum computing. Additionally, the course explores the tools and methods required to analyze, synthesize and manipulate these materials.

Quantum Cryptography   

Quantum cryptography or quantum key contribution refers to the process of encrypting and protecting quantum information using quantum mechanics principles. You will learn to apply quantum cryptography to data transmission, avoiding leaks and hacking incidents.

Best Master’s Degrees

[query_class_embed] *subject-masters-degrees

How to Get a PhD in Quantum Computing: Doctoral Program Requirements

To get a PhD in Quantum Computing, you must fulfill the doctoral program requirements. The requirements include a dissertation thesis, exam results, course requirements, candidacy, assistantship requirements, residency, and research seminars.

The requirements are diverse and may vary depending on the academic institution. If you are wondering how to get a PhD in Quantum Computing, read the below list detailing five standard graduation requirements for quantum computing PhD students.

You must fulfill all the course requirements as per the university’s prerequisites. The coursework will include core courses, electives, and specialized courses. Students must complete all core courses and select a specific number of courses from the other categories. For example, Harvard University requires you to complete four core courses, add two specializations, and three elective courses.

You will complete qualifying or preliminary exams as part of the degree program. Students will complete a comprehensive exam that demonstrates their academic foundation and knowledge of quantum computing fundamentals. This exam will be administered in written or verbal form and indicates you are ready to begin your dissertation work.

Assistantships involve simultaneously working and learning within the academic institution. You can select a teaching, research, lab, or general graduate assistantship. Although assistantships are a mandatory PhD requirement, you will benefit from tuition waivers, cash compensation, and employee benefits like health insurance. You can confirm all the benefits for each program with the graduate studies department.

A PhD candidacy refers to the stage where you have completed all graduation prerequisites except the dissertation thesis. You will complete all the required courses and pass a qualifying exam before advancing into candidacy. Keep in mind that you must submit an application form to qualify for the candidacy.

All quantum computing PhD students must complete a detailed thesis of original research work in an area of quantum computing. You will explain your research sources, methods, references, and other relevant parts of a dissertation. Furthermore, you must defend your dissertation work in front of a thesis committee that will ask a variety of open-ended questions.

Potential Careers With a Quantum Computing Degree

[query_class_embed] how-to-become-a-*profession

PhD in Quantum Computing Salary and Job Outlook

Graduates with a PhD in Quantum Computing enjoy high salaries and access to many job industries. Generally, you will earn between $90,000 and $150,000 or higher depending on your employer. The job outlook is promising because it requires applicants with extensive knowledge in the field, while an increasing number of organizations are implementing quantum computers.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Quantum Computing?

With a PhD in Quantum Computing, you can work as a senior quantum scientist, quantum senior software engineer, quantum optics researcher, and quantum computing research lead. Quantum computing PhD graduates have access to a wide range of career opportunities at senior levels.

You can also apply for jobs across different industries, including health care, academia, Blockchain and cryptocurrencies, supply chain management, cyber security, and finance. Many major companies like IBM Quantum, Microsoft Azure Quantum, Cambridge Quantum, and Amazon are developing quantum computing services.

Best Jobs with a PhD in Quantum Computing

• Quantum computing professor
• Quantum optics researcher
• Quantum error correction researcher
• Quantum software engineer
• Quantum research scientist

What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Quantum Computing

According to PayScale data, a PhD in Computing makes you eligible for an average salary of $134,000 . This figure includes all computing professionals, but quantum computing professionals have even higher earning potential.

Highest-Paying Quantum Computing Jobs for PhD Grads

Best Quantum Computing Jobs with a Doctorate

A Doctorate in Quantum Computing opens doors to jobs with lucrative salaries and amazing benefits. The best quantum computing jobs with a doctorate are primarily senior roles that come with a wide range of responsibilities. Below, you will explore a detailed overview of the highest-paying jobs for PhD graduates, including job outlook, and responsibilities.

Quantum system managers act as project managers in quantum computing organizations. You will plan, coordinate, and lead the team in implementing quantum computing activities to meet company needs. In addition, you will direct the maintenance of quantum computers, negotiate with vendors, propose new quantum technology, and report to the stakeholders.

• Salary with a Quantum Computing PhD: $159,010
• Job Outlook: 11% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 482,000
• Highest-Paying States : New York, California, New Jersey, Washington, District of Columbia

Quantum physicists explore the physical laws that influence the behavior of atoms, electrons, and photons. You will design and perform experiments, develop and explain scientific theories, develop computer software, write scientific papers, and analyze physical data. This is a broad role that entails a wide selection of duties and requires knowledge of quantum algorithms, machine learning, quantum sensing, and quantum mechanics.

• Salary with a Quantum Computing PhD: $152,430
• Job Outlook: 9% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 19,500
• Highest-Paying States : Pennsylvania, Kansas, Arizona, California, Missouri

Quantum research scientists help quantum computing organizations to solve problems with research. You will apply quantum theory principles to enhance how quantum computers optimize problems and improve performance. You will also analyze performance results, develop computing languages, present research findings, and test software systems operations.

• Salary with a Quantum Computing PhD: $131,490
• Job Outlook: 22% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 33,000
• Highest-Paying States: Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington

A quantum computing engineer applies quantum mechanics principles in designing and executing computing experiments. You will design and implement system improvements and collaborate with other engineers within the company to meet set goals. You must demonstrate expertise in electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, quantum physics, artificial intelligence, and programming languages.

• Salary with a Quantum Computing PhD: $108,774
• Number of Jobs: 1,847,900
• Highest-Paying States: California, Washington, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island

Quantum computing professors teach quantum computing at the university level. You will teach undergraduate or graduate students, depending on your expertise and the experience you gain from the assistantship. Some of your duties will include developing a course outline, planning lessons and preparing assignments, advising students on the right courses, conducting research, and contributing to curriculum changes.

• Salary with a Quantum Computing PhD: $93,070
• Job Outlook: 12% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 1,276,900
• Highest-Paying States: California, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Wisconsin

Is a PhD in Quantum Computing Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Quantum Computing is worth it. A PhD is the highest level of education and gives you in-depth knowledge of quantum computing skills. It comes with a wide selection of benefits including higher earning potential, research opportunities, and senior career opportunities.

The future of quantum computing is promising as more organizations develop quantum computing cloud services and design quantum computers. You can expand your opportunities across different industries and leave your mark on the development of quantum computers.

Additional Reading About Quantum Computing

[query_class_embed] https://careerkarma.com/blog/quantum-computing/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/how-to-get-a-job-in-quantum-computing/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/best-quantum-computing-startups/

PhD in Quantum Computing FAQ

You can get a job in quantum computing by pursuing an accredited education path, improving your quantum computing skills, and gaining experience through internships and entry-level or mid-level jobs. You can also expand your portfolio by working on a wide variety of quantum computing projects. A PhD in the field will be the peak academic achievement on your CV.

No, you don’t need a PhD in quantum computing to pursue senior careers. The quantum computing industry accommodates master’s degree holders for senior roles. However, pursuing a PhD boosts your research capabilities.

Yes, quantum computing is the future. Many organizations are adapting quantum computing applications, and the industry is witnessing a rise in the number of quantum computing startups . The growth also indicates job security throughout the future for quantum computing professionals.

The programming languages you can use in quantum computing include QML, Quantum Lambda Calculus, QMASM, QCL, and Silq. You will learn how to use these languages to translate data into ideas that quantum computers can implement.

About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication .

What's Next?

Get matched with top bootcamps

Ask a question to our community, take our careers quiz.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Graduate School

Quantum Science and Engineering

General information, program offerings:, affiliated departments:, director of graduate studies:, graduate program administrator:.

The program in Quantum Science and Engineering provides graduate training in a new discipline at the intersection of quantum physics and information theory. Just as the 20th century witnessed a technological and scientific revolution ushered in by our newfound understanding of quantum mechanics, the 21st century now offers the promise of a new class of technologies and lines of inquiry that take full advantage of the more fragile and intricate consequences of quantum mechanics: coherent superposition, projective measurement, and entanglement. This field has broad implications, from many body physics, the creation of new forms of matter, and our understanding of the emergence of the classical world, to fundamentally new technological applications ranging from new types of computers that can solve currently intractable problems, communication channels whose security is guaranteed by the laws of physics, and sensors that offer unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution.

The Princeton Quantum Science and Engineering community is unique in its broad, interdisciplinary breadth combined with foundational research in quantum information and quantum matter. Research at Princeton comprises every layer of the quantum technology stack, in fields ranging from quantum many body physics, materials, devices, and devising new quantum hardware platforms to quantum information theory, quantum metrology, quantum algorithms and complexity theory, and quantum computer architecture. This vibrant environment allows for rapid progress at the frontiers of quantum science and technology, with cross pollination among quantum platforms and approaches. Our curriculum places students in an excellent position to build new quantum systems, discover new technological innovations, become leaders in the emergent quantum industry, and make deep, lasting contributions to quantum information science.

Additional departmental requirements

Applicants are required to select an area of research interest when applying.

Program Offerings

Program offering: ph.d., program description.

The doctoral program combines coursework and participation in original research. Most students enter the program with an undergraduate degree in physics, electrical engineering, computer science, chemistry, materials science, or a related discipline. Every admitted Ph.D. student is given financial support in the form of a first-year fellowship. Students in academic good standing are supported by a teaching assistant or research assistant after the first year. Students who remain on campus working with their adviser during the summer will receive summer salary.

The curriculum consists of five required, graded courses to be completed by the end of the second year with an average GPA of 3.3, including: - Three core courses: Quantum Mechanics (PHY 506, ECE 511, CHM 501/502), Quantum Information (ECE 569), Implementations of Quantum Science (ECE 568) - Two quantum science courses: Experimental Methods in Quantum Computing (ECE 457), Solid State Physics (ECE 441), Condensed Matter Physics (PHY 525/526), Atomic Physics (PHY 551), Quantum optics (ECE 456), Fundamentals of Nanophotonics (ECE 560), Solid State Chemistry (CHM 529), Electronic Structure of Solids (CHM 524), Quantum Optoelectronics (ECE 453), Quantum Materials Spectroscopy (ECE 547), Solid State Physics II (ECE 542), Physics and Technology of Low-dimensional Electronic Structures (ECE544)

Additional pre-generals requirements

Each incoming student is assigned an academic adviser to help with course selection and other educational issues. First year students are required to enroll in a fall seminar class (ungraded) in which QSE faculty present their research. By the end of the first year, each student must secure placement with a research advisor.

First year students are also required to enroll in a seminar course for both semesters, in which they attend the weekly Quantum Colloquium series (which meets on Mondays), read relevant papers, and then discuss the papers and colloquium later in the week. Colloquium attendance will be mandatory and verified by a sign-in sheet. The course will be graded on a P/NP basis, and students will be evaluated based on their attendance and participation in discussion. The instructor running the course for the semester assigns a few papers that are relevant to that week’s colloquium, together with a reading guide that comprises a few questions about each paper. The students are responsible for reading the papers carefully, understanding them in the context of that week’s colloquium, and participating actively in the class discussion.  Students must also complete a course in Responsible Conduct of Research by the end of their second year.

General exam

Students must successfully complete their general exam by the end of their second year. The general exam consists of a research seminar and an oral exam, with a committee of three faculty (including the research advisor). The seminar is typically a 45 minute presentation of research accomplished at Princeton, with questions from the committee about the research. The oral exam is administered by the committee, and is intended to probe the student’s engagement with independent research, as well as their general knowledge in the field.

Qualifying for the M.A.

The Master of Arts can be earned by Ph.D. students en route to their Ph.D., after the student has: (a) completed the required coursework, (b) presented a research seminar approved by the student’s general examination committee, and (c) passed the oral general examination. It may also be awarded to students who, for various reasons, leave the Ph.D. program, provided that these requirements have been met.

Teaching experience is considered to be a significant part of a graduate education. Prior to completion of the program, doctoral students must complete at least one semester as a half-assistant instructor (AI), 3 hours per week. To be an AI, a student must first demonstrate proficiency in English by passing or being exempted from the Princeton Oral Proficiency Test (POPT). Students are encouraged to satisfy the POPT requirement as early as possible.

Dissertation and FPO

The final public oral examination is taken after the candidate’s dissertation has been examined for technical mastery by a committee of three faculty including the research advisor and approved by the Graduate School; it is primarily a defense of the dissertation. The Ph.D. is awarded after the candidate’s doctoral dissertation has been accepted and the final public oral examination sustained.

Permanent Courses

Courses listed below are graduate-level courses that have been approved by the program’s faculty as well as the Curriculum Subcommittee of the Faculty Committee on the Graduate School as permanent course offerings. Permanent courses may be offered by the department or program on an ongoing basis, depending on curricular needs, scheduling requirements, and student interest. Not listed below are undergraduate courses and one-time-only graduate courses, which may be found for a specific term through the Registrar’s website. Also not listed are graduate-level independent reading and research courses, which may be approved by the Graduate School for individual students.

ECE 568 - Implementations of Quantum Information (also QSE 503)

Qse 501 - current topics in quantum science and engineering.

We have 67 quantum computing PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

All disciplines

All locations

Institution

All Institutions

All PhD Types

All Funding

quantum computing PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Cdt-qte: space-time-varying superconducting surfaces for enhanced efficiency quantum computing and quantum wave processing applications, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Quantum Computing platform with atomic qubits

Simulation-based quantum machine learning for advancing ai, self-funded phd students only.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

CDT-QTE: Integrated photonics for ion-trap quantum computing

Cdt-qte: optimisation of antiresonant hollow core fibres for quantum computing, communications and memories, innovating iot security through quantum metamaterials and artificial intelligence, phds at the epsrc centre for doctoral training in quantum information science and technologies at the university of sussex, funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Rare-earth based photonic devices for quantum information processing

Post-quantum cryptographic systems for securing communication in iot systems., cdt-qte: interfacing semiconductor quantum dots with alkali-atom-based quantum memories, investigating quantum machine learning for cyber security, chip-based photonic devices for quantum technology, cdt-qte: efficient end-to-end quantum machine learning strategies for imaging, cdt-qte: optical micro-resonator design for enhanced quantum processing, cdt-qte: integrated solid-state quantum memories for light.

FindAPhD. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about PhD study?

Select your nearest city

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAPhD, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• The latest PhD projects delivered straight to your inbox
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, research proposal tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAPhD account and sign up to our newsletter:

• Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
• Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest PhD news
• Hear about our upcoming study fairs
• Save your favourite projects, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here .

Filtering Results

Graduate studies

Quantum information program

The University of Waterloo, in collaboration with the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), offers graduate students unique opportunities to learn about and engage in world-leading research in quantum information through a wide range of advanced research projects and advanced courses on the foundations, applications and implementation of quantum information processing.

IQC has a critical mass of expertise in several major research areas within quantum information, including but not limited to:

• Quantum error correction and fault tolerance
• Quantum complexity
• Quantum algorithms
• Quantum information theory
• Spin-based quantum information processing
• Nanoelectronics-based quantum information processing
• Optical quantum information processing
• Quantum cryptography
• Ultracold atoms and trapped ions

Learn more about this program

Courses available.

• Supervisors

Career outcomes

Degrees available and requirements, how to apply.

• Future student resources from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
• International student resources from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs

IQC offers one of the broadest and deepest number of Quantum Information and Computation (QIC) courses. The courses available are listed below and their full course descriptions are available in the graduate calendar.

• Quantum Information Processing (QIC 710)
• Quantum Information Processing Devices (QIC 750)
• Theory of Quantum Information (QIC 820)
• Quantum Algorithms (QIC 823)
• Magnetic Resonance and Spin-based Quantum Information Processing
• Applied Quantum Cryptography
• Implementation of Quantum Communication
• Selected Advanced Topics in Quantum Information
• Design in Quantum Systems
• Optical and Atomic Implementation
• Quantum Error Correction and Fault Tolerance
• Theory of Quantum Communication
• Semidefinite Programming in Quantum Information
• Recent advances in Quantum Information
• Quantum Complexity Theory
• Building a Neutron Camera
• Spin-based Quantum Information Processing
• Haar Measure in Quantum Information
• Modern Quantum Optics and Nanophotonics
• Solid-state Photonic Devices
• Relativistic Quantum Information
• Entanglement and Nonlocality
• Topics in Quantum-Safe Cryptography
• Introduction to Noise Processes
• Qubits with Semiconductors and Spins
• Functional Analysis Methods in Quantum Information Theory
• Algebraic Coding Theory
• Advanced topics in Quantum Optics
• Quantum Sensing
• Quantum Optics
• Entanglement Non-local Effects
• Approximate Representation Theory of Groups and Non-local Games
• Applications of Operator Algebras in Quantum Information Theory
• Matter Wave Optics and Interferometry
• Advanced Topics in Quantum Information Theory
• Open Quantum Systems (QIC 845)
• Nanoelectronics for Quantum Information Processing (QIC 880)
• Quantum Electronics and Photonics (QIC 885)
• Many-Body Physics and Quantum Foundations/Information
• Examples of Quantum Devices
• Implementations of Quantum Information Processing
• Introduction to Quantum Computing
• Post Quantum Cryptography
• Network Security
• Cryptography
• Quantum Cryptography Beyond Quantum Key Distribution
• Quantum Communication Devices
• Quantum Cryptography Tools
• Information-theory Methods in Communication Complexities
• Experimental Technique for Quantum Communication
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
• Theory of Quantum Optics
• Quantum Information and Communication
• Quantum Information and Machine Learning
• Programming Quantum Computers

Our alumni have found diverse careers working in academia, multinational companies, governments and start-ups. IQC alumni have landed all over the globe. Expore what some   IQC alumni   are doing now and review a sample of where they are working.

In particular, we offer a new interdisciplinary graduate program in Quantum Information that leads to MMath, MSc, MASc, and PhD degrees. The program is offered in collaboration with:

• Department of Applied Mathematics
• Department of Combinatorics and Optimization
• David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
• Department of Pure Mathematics
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Physics and Astronomy
• Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Students are required to complete the requirements of both their home unit and the specific requirements of the Quantum Information (QI) program to achieve the special QI designation. For example, MMath in Computer Science (Quantum Information), PhD in Chemistry (Quantum Information), MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Quantum Information).

MMath, MSc, and MASc students will receive a strong and broad foundation in quantum information science, coupled with knowledge and expertise from their home program. This will prepare them for the workforce or further graduate studies and research leading towards a PhD.

PhD students will be prepared for careers as scholars and researchers, with advanced expertise in quantum information science, along with the focus of their home program. The new program is designed to provide knowledge of quantum information, including theory and implementations, their home program discipline, and also developed advanced expertise in their particular research area within quantum information.

For tips and advice on how to apply and next steps please, connect with Waterloo's Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs office.

• Utility Menu

Apply   |   Contact Us   |   Carol Davis Fund   Anonymous Feedback to the Physics Chair

Harvard launches phd in quantum science and engineering.

Harvard University announced today one of the world’s first PhD programs in Quantum Science and Engineering,  a new intellectual discipline at the nexus of physics, chemistry, computer science and electrical engineering with the promise to profoundly transform the way we acquire, process and communicate information and interact with the world around us.

With the launch of the PhD program, Harvard is making the next needed commitment to provide the foundational education for the next generation of innovators and leaders who will push the boundaries of knowledge and transform quantum science and engineering into useful systems, devices and applications. 

"The new PhD program is designed to equip students with the appropriate experimental and theoretical education that reflects the nuanced intellectual approaches brought by both the sciences and engineering," said faculty co-director Evelyn Hu, Tarr-Coyne Professor of Applied Physics and of Electrical at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). "The core curriculum dramatically reduces the time to basic quantum proficiency for a community of students who will be the future innovators, researchers and educators in quantum science and engineering."

"Quantum science and engineering is not just a hybrid of subjects from different disciplines, but an important new area of study in its own right,” said faculty co-director John Doyle, Henry B. Silsbee Professor of Physics.“A Ph.D. program is necessary and foundational to the development of this new discipline."

The new program lies at the interface of physics, chemistry, and engineering, providing students with exciting opportunities to explore the fundamentals, realizations, and applications of QSE. Students of diverse backgrounds will benefit from an integrated curriculum designed to dramatically reduce the time to basic quantum proficiency and to equip students with experimental and theoretical education that reflects the nuanced intellectual approaches brought by both the sciences and engineering. Students will have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities. Integrating a new approach to interdisciplinary scholarship, graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in academia, industry, and national laboratories.

Research is a primary focus of the program, with students beginning research rotations in their first year. Extensive mentoring and advising is embedded in the program: graduate students in QSE are part of an academic community that cuts across departments and schools and, as such, are strongly encouraged to pursue cross-disciplinary research. In addition to their research, QSE PhD students will receive training in communication and professional opportunities, such as industry internships.

• NEWS & EVENTS
• Physics Event Calendar
• Colloquium Archive: 2000-
• Colloquium Archive: 1982-2000
• Loeb and Lee Lectures Archive: 1953-1990
• About the Loeb and Lee Lectureships
• Harvard-MIT SPS Chilloquium Speaker Series
• Faculty Awards
• Harvard Science Book Talks
• Harvard Science Research Public Lectures

Filter News by Year

We're sorry but you will need to enable Javascript to access all of the features of this site.

Stanford Online

Quantum computing.

Stanford School of Engineering

This course introduces the basics of quantum computing.

Topics Include:

• Qubits, entanglement, and non-local correlations
• Quantum gates, circuits, and compilation algorithms
• Basic quantum algorithms such as Simon’s algorithm and Grover's algorithm
• Shor's factoring algorithm and the hidden subgroup problem
• Hamiltonian simulation; stabilizer circuits, the Gottesman-Knill theorem
• The basics of quantum error correction

Prerequisites

• A conferred bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Prerequisites: Knowledge of linear algebra & discrete probability, and knowledge of algorithms OR quantum mechanics (or both).

What You Need To Get Started

Before enrolling in your first graduate course, you must complete an online application .

Don’t wait! While you can only enroll in courses during open enrollment periods, you can complete your online application at any time.

Once you have enrolled in a course, your application will be sent to the department for approval. You will receive an email notifying you of the department's decision after the enrollment period closes. You can also check your application status in your my stanford connection account at any time.

Learn more about the graduate application process .

How Much It Will Cost

• Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science & Security
• Business & Management
• Energy & Sustainability
• Data Science
• Medicine & Health
• Explore All
• Technical Support
• Master’s Application FAQs
• Master’s Student FAQs
• Master's Tuition & Fees
• Grades & Policies
• Graduate Application FAQs
• Graduate Student FAQs
• Graduate Tuition & Fees
• Community Standards Review Process
• Academic Calendar
• Exams & Homework FAQs
• Enrollment FAQs
• Tuition, Fees, & Payments
• Custom & Executive Programs
• Free Online Courses
• Free Content Library
• School of Engineering
• Graduate School of Education
• Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
• School of Humanities & Sciences
• Stanford Human Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI)
• Graduate School of Business
• Stanford Law School
• School of Medicine
• Learning Collaborations
• Stanford Credentials
• What is a digital credential?
• Grades and Units Information
• Our Community
• Get Course Updates

• Menu  Close 
• Search 

Quantum Computation - 605.728

Quantum computing is no longer a purely theoretical notion. The NSA and NIST are preparing to transition to quantum resistant cryptography. We have now entered the intermediate-scale quantum era, with near-term applications such as quantum machine learning being explored. Scalable quantum computers aren’t here yet, but ongoing developments suggest they are on their way. This course provides an introduction to quantum computation for computer scientists: the focus is on algorithms rather than physical devices, and familiarity with quantum mechanics (or any physics at all) is not a prerequisite. Instead, pertinent aspects of the quantum mechanics formalism are developed as needed in class. The course begins with an introduction to the QM formalism. It then develops the abstract model of a quantum computer, and discusses how quantum algorithms enable us to achieve, for some problems, a significant speedup (in some cases an exponential speedup) over any known classical algorithm. This discussion provides the basis for a detailed examination of quantum integer factoring, quantum search, and other quantum algorithms. The course also explores quantum error correction, quantum teleportation, and quantum cryptography. It concludes with a glimpse at what the cryptographic landscape will look like in a world with quantum computers. Required work includes problem sets and a research project. Prerequisites: Some familiarity with linear algebra and with the design and analysis of algorithms or instructor permission.

Course Offerings

• Future Students
• Parents and Families

Learn anywhere with us.

• Certificate
• Undergraduate
• Online Student Support Center
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Information Technology Services
• Online Regulations
• Online Program Development
• Online Course Development
• Expectations and Agreements
• State Authorization
• Request Information
• Tuition and Fees
• Discover URI Online
• URI Online Home

Quantum Computing

The URI quantum computing program is a 4-course, 12-credit, asynchronous, fully online graduate certificate program designed for career advancement. You can complete the program in just over two semesters and immediately leverage your enhanced skill set. 

This online certificate program complements our  M.S. degree in Quantum Computing program , which is designed for those who will be pursuing a more rigorous training. 

The certificate programs courses are designed to: 

• refresh a background in math, with an emphasis on the language of quantum mechanics
• establish a foundation in quantum mechanics
• apply the foundation to the design of quantum algorithms
• expand the knowledge of quantum computing to the technology involved in computation, teleportation, cryptography and circuitry. 

Through the courses, students will be developing ever more complex programs using IBM’s online Qiskit, an open-source software development kit, culminating in a project in the 4 th  semester.

PHY 571 Math Methods for Quantum Computing (3 credits) Reviews the mathematics that underpins quantum mechanics. This course will serve as a refresher in linear algebra and introduces the Python computing language.

PHY 572 Quantum Foundations (3 credits) Serves as an introduction to the foundations of quantum mechanics. The distinctions between classical and quantum worlds will be described and applications to quantum computing will be introduced. Special attention will be paid to entanglement and superposition. The representation of qubits as vectors terminating on the surface of a Bloch sphere will show how qubits can be transformed by reversible transformations.

PHY 573 (online) Introduction to Quantum Computing (3 credits) Introduces the fundamentals of quantum computing and how it differs from classical computing, including how data is stored, processed, and measured. Basic quantum algorithms will be studied with the use of IBM’s Qiskit, and the importance of the quantum Fourier transform will be explored.

PHY574 (online) Advanced Quantum Computing (3 credits) Presents applications of quantum theory to quantum computing and technology including software and hardware. Error connection techniques will be introduced. Quantum applications to molecular modeling, communications, and optimizations will be investigated. The essential components of a quantum computer will be presented and the implementation of qubits using various technologies will be described.

Meet the Program Director

Professor leonard m. kahn chair, uri department of physics.

Quantum computing, while still in its infancy, is rapidly developing and spurring a revolution in the way complex problems can be solved. The economic and societal benefits will be substantial.

A student completing our certificate program will have both a foundational understanding as well as the practical knowledge to apply and design quantum algorithms. In addition, with the embedded project that is threaded through the courses, the student will have a fundamental understanding of more general aspects of quantum sensing, teleportation, cryptography, circuitry and communication. Come join us!

Career Outlook

A URI graduate certificate in Quantum Computing will position you for jobs such as application scientist, quantum computing theorist, quantum computing experimentalist or researcher.

Get in touch.

URI Online Student Support Center [email protected] 401.874.5280

Program Director Professor Leonard M. Kahn Chair, URI Department of Physics

Get the Reddit app

Academic discussion of all things quantum computing from hardware through algorithms. Not the place for business speculation, memes, or philosophy.

Best path to a PhD in Quantum Computing, from a Computer Science Masters

I have a BA and MS in Computer Science and have worked in the software industry for the past few years. While I've learned a lot and have been paid well, I have lost a lot of my passion for the career path. I still enjoy programming at its core with personal projects, but the corporate world has siphoned any passion out of it in my day job. This made me consider going back to school.

I've always enjoyed academia and even taught a class post-Masters graduation. I enjoy teaching and like the "pure" concept of academic research. I've done some cursory study of quantum computing for a bit and it seems like it's a new frontier of CS, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, etc... Which is why I'm interested in the topic.

However, when I've searched for schools, it doesn't seem like a ton of them offer this field of study and those that do are usually under physics departments or even electrical engineering. My question is if it's possible for a CS background to get into a quantum computing program, or would I have to get a physics degree first?

I'm in contact with one of my old professors about this, and I'm getting guidance from him, but I'd love to hear any advice you all may have. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I am located in Southern California and ideally would like to stay in this area. However, I am open to hearing about schools in other locations.

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• TECHNOLOGY FEATURE
• 05 August 2024

Quantum computing aims for diversity, one qubit at a time

• Amanda Heidt 0

Amanda Heidt is a science writer in Moab, Utah.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Irene Fernández de Fuentes (centre) co-founded the Australian charity Quantum Women. Credit: Sydney Quantum Academy

Feeling adrift and disconnected during the COVID-19 pandemic, Elisa Torres Durney decided to jump headlong into one of the hottest, and most challenging, disciplines around. She took a virtual course on quantum computing.

Then a secondary-school student in Chile, Torres Durney knew little about the field, but coming from a family of engineers and artists, she felt drawn to the opportunities that quantum computing offered to combine practicality and creativity. Over eight months, she learnt the basics from experts in academia and industry, in a course run by the non-profit organization, Qubit by Qubit. She also started writing code to simulate quantum circuits, and later ran her own experiments on a quantum computer.

‘Quantum internet’ demonstration in cities is most advanced yet

The experience was “transformative”, says Torres Durney, who will soon start an engineering undergraduate degree at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. But she realized that it was also a privilege, one that few students could access. So, in 2022, Torres Durney co-founded Girls in Quantum to further democratize quantum computing around the world. “So many people think that quantum is just for experts with a PhD, but I started at 16 years old, and I’m still here,” she says.

Girls in Quantum is one of a handful of initiatives aimed at increasing representation in quantum computing, which is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). By targeting every step of the career path, these groups aim to broaden tomorrow’s workforce, introducing the field to a younger, more diverse audience, imparting technological know-how and professional skills and ushering a new generation into positions of leadership. The hope is to avoid the diversity challenges that plague physics more broadly — the field has some of the lowest representation of women and people of other marginalized identities in STEM ( T. Berry and S. Mordijck Commun. Phys. 7 , 77; 2024 ).

Elisa Torres Durney made her first foray into quantum computing as a secondary-school student in Chile. Credit: Tell Magazine/Javiera Díaz e Valdés

“What I find really exciting about emerging technologies like quantum computing is we have the chance to get things right early on,” says Kiera Peltz, founder and chief executive of Qubit by Qubit, who is based in the Bay Area of California. Since its launch in 2020, the organization has introduced some 22,000 students worldwide to quantum computing, says Peltz, and more than half come from under-represented backgrounds. “Quantum computing will most certainly impact society, and I think that makes it even more critical to have diverse voices and experiences shaping these technologies.”

‘A glass ceiling for diversity’

Quantum computing draws on the foundational principles of quantum mechanics, a branch of physics that describes the behaviour of atomic and subatomic particles. Scientists have leveraged these properties to build computers powered by basic units of information called qubits that can occupy two states concurrently — a phenomenon known as superposition. These computers have different strengths compared with conventional devices that use a binary system of ones and zeros, such as the ability to evaluate a vast number of possibilities simultaneously, and researchers are optimistic about the opportunity this affords to tackle previously intractable problems in drug development, climate science, cybersecurity and other applications.

The future is quantum: universities look to train engineers for an emerging industry

Excitement over these tools — which remain, for the moment, rudimentary — is driving renewed interest in careers in physics. US jobs in the field are expected to grow by 5% by 2032, yet only one in 54 applicants for quantum roles are women, and 80% of quantum companies do not have a woman in a senior leadership role.

Fewer data exist on other marginalized identities, but a survey published this year of some 2,500 physics students and professionals in Canada, for example, revealed that only 1.5% of respondents identified as Black or Indigenous, 3.5% as gender diverse and 7% as having a disability ( E. J. Hennessey et al . Preprint at arXiv https://doi.org/m9qk; 2024 ).

“There’s still very much a glass ceiling for diversity,” says Denise Ruffner, an independent consultant based in Pasadena, California, who advises quantum companies on diversity practices. “I’m glad that we started early to try to break through, but it’s something that’s still there and needs to be acknowledged.”

Equipping the next generation

The technology behind quantum computers can be daunting, and groups invested in engaging younger audiences must contend with a steep learning curve. Quantum mechanics doesn’t relate in clear ways to daily life, so educators must get creative when teaching foundational principles .

For Chris Cantwell, the founder of Quantum Realm Games, this has meant engaging with quantum concepts through play. Cantwell, who is based in Chino Hills, California, spent years developing a version of quantum chess to join the ranks of existing games such as quantum noughts-and-crosses and a quantum version of the popular world-building computer game, Minecraft .

Chris Cantwell plays quantum chess with his son. Credit: Christopher and Laurie Cantwell

In Cantwell’s quantum chess, pieces can occupy two positions on the board — signifying superposition — and others can become ‘entangled’, another quantum concept, to move together in predictable ways. He has begun playing it with his five-year-old son, and says the goal is not to teach quantum theory but to create a space in which people can experience quantum phenomena for themselves. “We have to start young, and we have to start diverse, to develop a generation with an intuitive understanding of things,” Cantwell says. “They’ll imagine uses for quantum computing that we can’t even conceive of right now.”

Quantum computers: what are they good for?

Among more-conventional learning opportunities, Qubit by Qubit offers virtual courses to secondary-school students and undergraduates globally, with minimal academic prerequisites. Many courses are days long, but others span up to two semesters and include hands-on laboratory work in partnership with academic scientists and industry leaders. Students who complete these courses can then apply for summer internships that pair them with researchers pursuing quantum computing projects.

“The biggest point of attrition” in physics, according to Shohini Ghose, a physicist at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada, “is in the period right after high school, when people are picking a potential career”. Ghose, who is also a regional chair for women in science and engineering at Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the country’s federal funding agency, says that keeping students “invested through this critical juncture is a good step”.

Offering quantum-computing courses virtually or, in some cases, at a discount does make them more accessible, but cost and the fact that they are taught in English remain a barrier to broader participation. Qubit by Qubit makes as many of its programmes as possible free — including a one-week virtual ‘boot camp’ for students at historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions in the United States — and offers scholarships.

Students do a basic superposition experiment at a summer camp run by Qubit by Qubit. Credit: Trent Peltz of The Coding School

Girls in Quantum’s programmes are free, including a nine-week virtual course. The group is also one of the few actively working to translate resources into other languages; its network of global ambassadors has created guides in Spanish, Russian and Tamil. And last year, in partnership with IBM, Girls in Quantum organized a quantum hackathon in Latin America.

Quantum retention

Still other groups are tackling cultural and social barriers that could otherwise drive people out of the field.

“I think it’s better to have a workforce that’s 20% minorities, but they’re happy, versus one that’s 50% minorities, but they’re miserable,” says Tzula Propp, a quantum information theorist at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and co-founder, with Ruffner, of the non-profit body Diversity in Quantum (DiviQ). “Quantum is a pressure-cooker environment, and the people who get cooked out quickest are marginalized people with intersecting struggles.”

The Australian charity Quantum Women, founded in 2021, focuses on teaching ‘soft skills’ to make women more-effective communicators and competitors in the jobs market. “What we really want is to try to get women into positions of leadership,” says Irene Fernández de Fuentes, a co-founder of Quantum Women and an experimental quantum physicist at the research institute QuTech, based in Delft, the Netherlands. “There are many fields that have proven that a more diverse team can only bring good.”

Quantum is a pressure-cooker environment, says Tzula Propp, co-founder of Diversity in Quantum. Credit: Quantum Delta NL/Rebekka Mell

Besides highlighting the work of its members, Quantum Women offers virtual and in-person workshops on public speaking, grant writing, building a CV and other topics in professional development. It’s also hosting ‘matchmaking’ sessions involving early-career professionals and industry partners. De Fuentes says that the first job offers for attendees have started to trickle in, “which feels great”.

NatureTech hub

DiviQ is currently building special-interest groups — including ones for women, queer scientists, people of colour and people with disabilities — to allow people to tap into networks of supportive peers. In June, the organization held its first Proud to be in Quantum summit for Pride month, and Propp is now piloting a mentorship programme for DiviQ members. Rather than one-on-one pairings, mentors will have two peers at similar career stages to meet with monthly, as well as a senior mentor “to call in a pinch”, Propp says.

And more mentors are needed. Ruffner says that when she gives talks, she often asks whether anyone is mentoring a woman or member of an under-represented group. “There usually aren’t a lot of hands up in the air,” she says.

“Don’t just talk about diversity or read about it,” Ruffner concludes. “Take action and find someone that you can mentor, and make a difference in someone’s life.”

Nature 632 , 464-465 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02541-z

Related Articles

• Computer science
• Quantum information

A publishing platform that places code front and centre

Technology Feature 07 AUG 24

China’s robotaxis need regulation

Correspondence 06 AUG 24

Supreme Court ruling alters risk landscape

Correspondence 30 JUL 24

Fully forward mode training for optical neural networks

Article 07 AUG 24

Slow productivity worked for Marie Curie — here’s why you should adopt it, too

Career Feature 05 AUG 24

AI is vulnerable to attack. Can it ever be used safely?

Outlook 25 JUL 24

Ultracold molecules that interact from afar form elusive quantum state

News & Views 09 JUL 24

Tunable entangled photon-pair generation in a liquid crystal

Article 12 JUN 24

A site-resolved two-dimensional quantum simulator with hundreds of trapped ions

Article 29 MAY 24

Recruitment of Talent Positions at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University

Call for top experts and scholars in the field of science and technology.

Shenyang, Liaoning, China

Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University

The Recruitment of Fuyao University of Science and Technology

This recruitment of Fuyao University Technologyof Science andUcovers 7 departments including the 6 Schools and the Faculty of Fundamental Disciplines.

Fuzhou, Fujian (CN)

Fuzhou FuYao Institute for Advanced Study

Educational Consultant

You will build and maintain strong relationships with local representatives, key distributors, schools, Ministries of Education, etc.

Riyadh - hybrid working model

Springer Nature Ltd

Senior Marketing Manager – Journal Awareness

Job Title: Senior Marketing Manager – Journal Awareness Location(s): London, UK - Hybrid Working Model Closing date: 25th August 2024             A...

London (Central), London (Greater) (GB)

Faculty Positions& Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Optical and Electronic Information, HUST

Job Opportunities: Leading talents, young talents, overseas outstanding young scholars, postdoctoral researchers.

Wuhan, Hubei, China

School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Simulation of a nuclear process on a quantum computer

Quantum computers have proven to be effective in simulating many quantum systems. Simulating nuclear processes and state preparation poses significant challenges, even for traditional supercomputers. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a complete simulation of a nuclear transition, including the preparation of both ground and first excited states. To tackle the complexity of strong interactions between two and three nucleons, the states are modeled on the tritium nucleus. Both the initial and final states are represented using quantum circuits with variational quantum algorithms and inductive biases. Describing the spin-isospin states requires four qubits, and a parameterized quantum circuit that exploits a total of 16 parameters is initialized. The estimated energy has a relative error of approximately 2 % percent 2 2\% 2 % for the ground state and about 10 % percent 10 10\% 10 % for the first excited state of the system. The quantum computer simulation estimates the transition probability between the two states as a function of the dipole polarization angle. This work marks a first step towards leveraging digital quantum computers to simulate nuclear physics.

I Introduction

Quantum simulation is an emerging field that aims at studying quantum systems with quantum hardware to reach a level of accuracy unattainable with classical computers. Quantum computers [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ] are proving increasingly effective to provide such hardware  [ 8 ] . One of the most developed areas where quantum simulation proves effective involves few-body and many-body search of ground states and dynamics. Molecular quantum dynamics provides a paramount example in this respect [ 9 ] . Simulation and discovery of materials is a rapidly evolving field that can exploit near-term quantum hardware [ 10 ] . Recently, quantum algorithms have also been applied to nuclear physics in order to determine nuclear structures and simulate elementary processes  [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] . Some of us have already exploited variational and iterative quantum algorithms [ 15 , 16 , 17 ] and the search of ground states [ 18 ] by different approaches based on adiabatic quantum computing [ 19 , 20 , 21 ] . Variational Quantum Eigensolvers (VQE)  [ 22 ] made it possible to build states of light nuclei using suitably tuned quantum circuits  [ 23 , 24 , 25 ] , with the aim of computing ground state energies. On the other hand, quantum algorithms enable to compute transition probabilities between states encoded by such quantum circuits. Explicitly, the computation is carried by another circuit consisting in turn of a unitary operator. The observable responsible of such transition is not necessarily unitary, even if it can be expressed as the sum of unitary terms like Pauli operators that are not closed under addition. Therefore, one needs to embed it into a unitary operator by some method so to be processed by the quantum computer. Quantum algorithms such as the linear combination of unitaries (LCU) can solve the issue of restoring unitarity  [ 26 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] and permit the implementation of the circuit. Transition probabilities are fundamental also for understanding phenomena involving atomic nuclei. For example dipole polarizabilities are intimately linked to nuclear radii and the properties of nucleonic matter, eventually affecting the merging of compact astrophysical objects  [ 27 , 28 ] . More recently, it has been pointed out how a detailed description of the strong many-body correlations in nuclei is necessary to explain electroweak processes such has β 𝛽 \beta italic_β decay  [ 29 ] or the neutrinoless β ⁢ β 𝛽 𝛽 \beta\beta italic_β italic_β decay that is employed for searching physics beyond the standard model  [ 30 ] . In spite of important advances in modelling the interaction of neutrinos with nuclei  [ 12 , 14 ] , there is currently no implementation on a quantum computer of the whole pipeline of a nuclear transition process: that is, involving the preparation of both the initial and final nuclear states as well as the transition mechanism. Here, we consider a simplified model of the nucleus of tritium in which the proton and the two neutrons are fixed in space, so to demonstrate the full quantum computing pipeline for simulating a nuclear reaction. We employ a pionless effective field theory ( π / \pi\!\!\!/ italic_π / EFT)  [ 31 ] Hamiltonian that provides a controllable low-momentum expansion of the nuclear force, consistent with the symmetries of quantum chromodynamcis (QCD). The spatial localization preserves the complex spin-isospin structure of the strong nuclear force while reducing the necessary qubits to a number suitable for a proof-of-principle investigation. At the same time, discrete excited states are produced–even if they are experimentally absent for three-nucleon systems–that we use to simulate a M1 transition to the ground state. We demonstrate that a quantum computer is capable of simulating an entire nuclear problem by addressing all the building blocks involved in the pipeline. We apply a VQE algorithm that allows to determine the ground state by minimizing the energy function. Next, we build an excited state from a similar minimization problem by involving an additional cost function that accounts for the orthogonality between eigenstates. The linear combination of unitaries method is used to perform the simulation and evaluate the transition probability as a function of the tilt angle. We conclude that quantum algorithms are sufficiently mature to perform simulations in nuclear physics.

The system under consideration is inspired by the tritium nucleus (triton) and the process involves the transition between two eigenstates. To demonstrate the method, we arbitrarily choose the ground state and the first excited state of such a three-nuclei system. In Figure  1 it is sketched the rationale of the approach. The upper part represents aspects of the ingredients of the nuclear physics process, consisting of the excitation (or equivalently, its de-excitation) between two eigenstates, while the lower part represents the corresponding computational strategy of the quantum computer. The state preparation of qubits encodes the relevant information of the nuclear states under consideration. Next, it is simulated the action of the interaction responsible for the transition between such quantum states, evaluating the transition probability. In the following, we introduce the nuclear model of the ground state of the triton and, afterwards, the preparation of a quantum register encoding the three-nuclei eigenstates. Next, in the Section Results, we exploit such formalization to perform the quantum simulation and obtain the transition probability with a gate-model quantum computer.

II.1 Tritium nuclear model

To establish the feasibility of simulating nuclear physics processes on a quantum computer, we use the π / \pi\!\!\!/ italic_π / EFT  [ 31 ] on a lattice  [ 32 ] which is suitable for demonstrating the generality of the approach  [ 14 ] . Each nucleon has a spin-isospin state. By using second quantization formalism, we are able to encode the possible states accounting for the whole nucleus with only four qubits. One nucleon is fixed in the spin-down neutron state, hence we need two qubits for each remaining nucleon. The Hamiltonian of the tritium nucleus is expressed by

In the following, we use the numerical values of t = 1 𝑡 1 t=1 italic_t = 1 , U = − 7 𝑈 7 U=-7 italic_U = - 7 , and V = 28 𝑉 28 V=28 italic_V = 28 that reproduce the actual π / \pi\!\!\!/ italic_π / EFT nuclear force for the three nucleons placed at neighboring sites  [ 14 ] . The objective is to find the ground state, hence we need to minimize the expectation value of such a Hamiltonian. In order to test the minimum set of ingredients, we consider excitations to higher eigenstates of the tritium model. More specifically, we focus on the first excited state of the model. This is done by solving a differently constrained problem which takes into account the orthogonality with the ground state previously found. In the next Section, we are going to define such minimization problems in more detail.

II.2 Variational quantum eigensolver (VQE)

The variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) is a hybrid variational algorithm consisting of a quantum eigensolver and a classical optimizer. We consider a parameterized ansatz state | ψ ⁢ ( 𝜽 ) ⟩ ket 𝜓 𝜽 \ket{\psi(\bm{\theta})} | start_ARG italic_ψ ( bold_italic_θ ) end_ARG ⟩ sufficiently complex to reproduce the fundamental properties of the system to be simulated. Here 𝜽 𝜽 \bm{\theta} bold_italic_θ is a vector of real parameters. The optimal parameters can be found by solving the related variational problem. The ground state is, by definition, the state of minimum energy, hence the minimization problem

allows us to find the best estimate for the ground state. In addition, by imposing orthogonality with such a ground state, the new minimum energy eigenstate becomes the first excited state. The first method involves adding a penalty function (known as deflation term) to Equation  2 , while the second one delegates such a constraint to the optimizer. The former is known as variational quantum deflation (VQD)  [ 33 ] , while the latter is the variational quantum eigensolver under automatically-adjusted constraints (VQE/AC)  [ 34 ] . The minimization problem solved by the VQD can be expressed as

where | g ⟩ ket 𝑔 \ket{g} | start_ARG italic_g end_ARG ⟩ is the ground state and λ 𝜆 \lambda italic_λ is a tunable hyper-parameter. If the ansatz is efficiently expressive, it is sufficient to use λ > Δ ⁢ E 𝜆 Δ 𝐸 \lambda>\Delta E italic_λ > roman_Δ italic_E , where Δ ⁢ E Δ 𝐸 \Delta E roman_Δ italic_E is the energy gap Δ ⁢ E = E 1 − E 0 Δ 𝐸 subscript 𝐸 1 subscript 𝐸 0 \Delta E=E_{1}-E_{0} roman_Δ italic_E = italic_E start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 1 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT - italic_E start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 0 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT between the first two energy levels. However, the choice of λ 𝜆 \lambda italic_λ is self-correcting, as choosing an incorrect λ = γ − E 0 ≤ Δ ⁢ E 𝜆 𝛾 subscript 𝐸 0 Δ 𝐸 \lambda=\gamma-E_{0}\leq\Delta E italic_λ = italic_γ - italic_E start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 0 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ≤ roman_Δ italic_E will cause the algorithm to find a minimum L E ⁢ ( 𝜽 ) = γ subscript 𝐿 𝐸 𝜽 𝛾 L_{E}(\bm{\theta})=\gamma italic_L start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_E end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ( bold_italic_θ ) = italic_γ   [ 33 ] . Such a behaviour is reported in Figure  2 , where λ = 4 𝜆 4 \lambda=4 italic_λ = 4 appears to be a good choice. On the contrary, the VQE/AC method does not require such calibration since it handles the constraint of orthogonality on the optimizer directly. Hence the minimization problem is again the one shown in Equation  2 . Typically, an ansatz is formed by repeating blocks, each one made of two layers, namely one with local rotations and the other with entangling gates. In our work, the rotation layers consist of single-qubit y 𝑦 y italic_y -rotations acting on each qubit and the entangling layer accounts for circular entanglement, significantly extending previous attempts involving only one rotation angle per layer, with only two blocks. As discussed later, by doubling the number of blocks and by adding more parameters, a more accurate ground state energy is found. Furthermore, a deeper ansatz allows us to use the same circuit for both the ground state and the first excited state while keeping the number of trainable parameters as low as possible. The choice of the number of blocks is arbitrary, so the best compromise between accuracy and depth, involving more computation, is found. The best compromise consists of using four blocks, as it is the least amount that significantly improves the results (see Supplementary Figure S1). The single block definition and the final ansatz are shown in Figure  3 .

II.3 Simulation of the transition

Now, we turn the attention to the quantum operator that triggers the transition between the ground state and the excited state. For clarity, we call it the excitation operator, but the reader should notice that since it is real-valued, hence symmetric, the inverse process is also described by the same operator. In order to implement the action of such operator onto the quantum register, we exploit the linear combination of unitaries method, that allows to implement any operator that can be expressed as a sum of unitaries.

Following Ref.  [ 13 ] , the most general excitation operator in first quantization is

where α 𝛼 \alpha italic_α , β 𝛽 \beta italic_β and γ 𝛾 \gamma italic_γ are real coefficients. In second quantization, it can be expressed as

If we represent the creation/annihilation operators in terms of Pauli operator using the Jordan-Wigner transformation, the excitation operator becomes

Restricted to the relevant subspace, O ~ ~ 𝑂 \widetilde{O} over~ start_ARG italic_O end_ARG is equivalent to

Such operator consist of a sum of Pauli, hence unitary operators, but O ¯ ¯ 𝑂 \overline{O} over¯ start_ARG italic_O end_ARG itself is not necessarily unitary.

II.4 The linear combination of unitaries (LCU) algorithm

The algorithm that implements such an operator is expressed by a quantum circuit as follows. The evolution generated by the operator O ¯ ¯ 𝑂 \overline{O} over¯ start_ARG italic_O end_ARG can be simulated in a non-deterministic way using the linear combination of unitaries (LCU) method  [ 26 ] . The only requirement is that it can be expressed as a (finite) sum of unitaries:

The coefficients μ j subscript 𝜇 𝑗 \mu_{j} italic_μ start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_j end_POSTSUBSCRIPT s are assumed to be positive without loss of generality since a phase can be subsumed into the respective unitary operators U j subscript 𝑈 𝑗 U_{j} italic_U start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_j end_POSTSUBSCRIPT . It is useful for later purposes to define the 1-norm of the coefficient vector

For example, for the excitation operator above, we have

The algorithm requires the implementation of a prepare unitary and a select unitary. The former is defined as  [ 26 , 13 ]

whereas the latter

The required prepare unitary is shown in Figure  4 (a), with a rotation R y ⁢ ( 2 ⁢ ϕ 1 ) subscript 𝑅 𝑦 2 subscript italic-ϕ 1 R_{y}(2\phi_{1}) italic_R start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_y end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ( 2 italic_ϕ start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 1 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ) , where

acting on the first qubit. Contrary to the deuteron case [ 13 ] , the second gate applied is a zero-controlled rotation R y ⁢ ( 2 ⁢ ϕ 2 ) subscript 𝑅 𝑦 2 subscript italic-ϕ 2 R_{y}(2\phi_{2}) italic_R start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_y end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ( 2 italic_ϕ start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 2 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ) , where

As a matter of fact, the excitation operator for the deuterium nucleus has a simpler form of Equation  4 . Despite having three distinct coefficients, it holds that

III Results

Iii.1 determination of the initial and final quantum states with vqe.

The optimizer is the constrained optimization by linear approximation (COBYLA)  [ 35 ] , with a maximum of 1500 iterations. The circuits are implemented by Qiskit  [ 36 ] through the QASM simulator within the Qiskit Aer framework. The ansatz circuit requires four qubits as from Figure  3 (b). The ground state is determined by the VQE algorithm after 400 iterations. Instead, the excited states is determined after 300 iterations with VQE/AC and after 450 iterations with VQD, respectively, without achieving the same accuracy. Figure  5 illustrates the performance of COBYLA over 1500 1500 1500 1500 iterations. Each colored line represents a different algorithm, superimposed on the energy spectrum calculated analytically (grey lines), with the black line indicating the ground energy level. The optimal parameters are listed in Table  1 . By assigning such values, we evaluate the expectation value of the Hamiltonian in Equation  1 . To understand how the error in the optimal-parameters estimation propagates to the energy estimation, we adopt a Monte Carlo method, as follows. We sample a normal distribution centered on the optimal value with precision up to the third decimal place, with a standard deviation of σ = 0.001 𝜎 0.001 \sigma=0.001 italic_σ = 0.001 . For each sample we then evaluate the energy expectation value. This allows us to retrieve the energy distribution for each variational algorithm used, providing insight into the propagation of error from optimal parameters to energy estimation. The resulting violin plots are reported in Figure  6 . The optimal parameters are associated with a relative error in the energy value of ϵ 0 VQE = 1 % superscript subscript italic-ϵ 0 VQE percent 1 \epsilon_{0}^{\text{VQE}}=1\% italic_ϵ start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 0 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT VQE end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT = 1 % for the ground state, ϵ 1 VQD = 9 % superscript subscript italic-ϵ 1 VQD percent 9 \epsilon_{1}^{\text{VQD}}=9\% italic_ϵ start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 1 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT VQD end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT = 9 % and ϵ 1 VQE/AC = 8 % superscript subscript italic-ϵ 1 VQE/AC percent 8 \epsilon_{1}^{\text{VQE/AC}}=8\% italic_ϵ start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 1 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT VQE/AC end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT = 8 % for the first excited state.

III.2 Transition simulated with the LCU method

Iv conclusions.

We processed the simulation of a nuclear transition involving totally antisymmetrized spin-isospin states of triton, formulated in terms of second quantization. The state of the nucleons is encoded by two qubits each on a gate model quantum computer. We determined the ground state of the approximated triton Hamiltonian by exploiting the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE), which returned the energy expectation value with a relative error of 1 % percent 1 1\% 1 % . In order to obtain the first excited state, two variations of the VQE have been deployed and compared, namely the Variational Quantum Deflation (VQD)  [ 33 ] and the VQE with automatically-adjusted constraints (VQE/AC)  [ 34 ] , respectively. The two quantum states thus found have an overlap of 98 % percent 98 98\% 98 % with each other, suggesting the equal validity of the two methods. The relative errors on the corresponding eigenvalue are 9 % percent 9 9\% 9 % for the VQD and 8 % percent 8 8\% 8 % for the VQE/AC algorithm. Finally, we simulated the transitions from the VQE/AC approximated excited state into the ground state with the LCU method. The simulation of the transition shows a success probability in the range [ 0.3 , 0.9 ] 0.3 0.9 [0.3,0.9] [ 0.3 , 0.9 ] . This work provides a first step into a fully embedded quantum simulation, from state preparation to transition probability. Spatial resolution could also be embedded in the present framework by introducing additional qubits for each lattice site  [ 14 ] . Besides accounting for the details of the nuclear force entirely, similar simulations would also reach larger systems with similar computing effort as lighter systems on quantum hardware. These are not yet feasible due to resource constraints, but current research and proof-of-concept studies, such as those discussed above, provide a robust groundwork for progressing in this challenge.

Supporting Information

Supporting Information is available from the Wiley Online Library or from the Authors.

Acknowledgements

E.P. acknowledges the project CQES of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). E.P. and L.N. thanks ENI S.p.A., for having partially supported this work.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding Authors upon reasonable request.

Code availability

The code and the algorithm used in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Author Contributions

L.N. developed the simulation and implemented the algorithms, C.B. elaborated on the physical interpretation of the quantum simulation in the realm of nuclear physics, E.P. conceived and coordinated this research. All the Authors contributed to discuss the results and to the writing of the manuscript.

Competing Interests statement

The Authors declare that there are no competing interests

• [1] S. S. Gill, A. Kumar, H. Singh, M. Singh, K. Kaur, M. Usman, R. Buyya, Software: Practice and Experience 2022 , 52 , 1 66.
• [2] L. Henriet, L. Beguin, A. Signoles, T. Lahaye, A. Browaeys, G.-O. Reymond, C. Jurczak, Quantum 2020 , 4 327.
• [3] H.-L. Huang, D. Wu, D. Fan, X. Zhu, Science China Information Sciences 2020 , 63 1.
• [4] C. D. Bruzewicz, J. Chiaverini, R. McConnell, J. M. Sage, Applied Physics Reviews 2019 , 6 , 2.
• [5] A. Manzalini, Quantum Reports 2020 , 2 , 4 579.
• [6] E. Ferraro, E. Prati, Physics Letters A 2020 , 384 , 17 126352.
• [7] M. De Michielis, E. Ferraro, E. Prati, L. Hutin, B. Bertrand, E. Charbon, D. J. Ibberson, M. F. Gonzalez-Zalba, Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics 2023 , 56 , 36 363001.
• [8] M. Gilbert, T. Eade, T. Rey, R. Vale, C. Bachmann, U. Fischer, N. Taylor, Nuclear Fusion 2019 , 59 , 7 076015.
• [9] P. J. Ollitrault, A. Miessen, I. Tavernelli, Accounts of Chemical Research 2021 , 54 , 23 4229.
• [10] L. Clinton, T. Cubitt, B. Flynn, F. M. Gambetta, J. Klassen, A. Montanaro, S. Piddock, R. A. Santos, E. Sheridan, Nature Communications 2024 , 15 , 1 211.
• [11] J.-E. Garcia-Ramos, A. Saiz, J. M. Arias, L. Lamata, P. Perez-Fernandez, Advanced Quantum Technologies 2023 , 2300219.
• [12] A. Roggero, J. Carlson, Phys. Rev. C 2019 , 100 034610.
• [13] A. Roggero, C. Gu, A. Baroni, T. Papenbrock, Phys. Rev. C 2020 , 102 064624.
• [14] A. Roggero, A. C. Y. Li, J. Carlson, R. Gupta, G. N. Perdue, Phys. Rev. D 2020 , 101 074038.
• [15] G. Agliardi, E. Prati, Quantum Reports 2022 , 4 , 1 75.
• [16] M. Maronese, M. Incudini, L. Asproni, E. Prati, Quantum Reports 2023 , 6 , 1 1.
• [17] S. Corli, D. Dragoni, M. Proietti, M. Dispenza, C. Cavazzoni, E. Prati, In 2023 IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE) , volume 2. IEEE, 2023 284–285.
• [18] G. Siddi Moreau, L. Pisani, A. Mameli, C. Podda, G. Cao, E. Prati, Advanced Quantum Technologies 2024 , 7 , 1 2300152.
• [19] L. Rocutto, C. Destri, E. Prati, Advanced Quantum Technologies 2021 , 4 , 2 2000133.
• [20] L. Moro, E. Prati, Communications Physics 2023 , 6 , 1 269.
• [21] D. Noè, L. Rocutto, L. Moro, E. Prati, Advanced Quantum Technologies 2024 , 2300330.
• [22] A. Peruzzo, J. McClean, P. Shadbolt, M.-H. Yung, X.-Q. Zhou, P. J. Love, A. Aspuru-Guzik, J. L. O’Brien, Nature Communications 2014 , 5 , 4213.
• [23] M. Cerezo, et al., Nat. Rev. Phys. 3 2021 .
• [24] I. Hobday, P. D. Stevenson, J. Benstead, Proc. SPIE Int. Soc. Opt. Eng. 2022 , 12133 109.
• [25] I. Hobday, P. Stevenson, J. Benstead, Variance minimisation on a quantum computer for nuclear structure, 2022 .
• [26] A. M. Childs, N. Wiebe, Quantum Information & Computation 2012 , 12 , 11&12.
• [27] G. Hagen, A. Ekström, C. Forssén, G. R. Jansen, W. Nazarewicz, T. Papenbrock, K. A. Wendt, S. Bacca, N. Barnea, B. Carlsson, C. Drischler, K. Hebeler, M. Hjorth-Jensen, M. Miorelli, G. Orlandini, A. Schwenk, J. Simonis, Nature Physics 2016 , 12 , 2 186.
• [28] J. M. Lattimer, M. Prakash, Physics Reports 2000 , 333-334 121.
• [29] P. Gysbers, G. Hagen, J. D. Holt, G. R. Jansen, T. D. Morris, P. Navrátil, T. Papenbrock, S. Quaglioni, A. Schwenk, S. R. Stroberg, K. A. Wendt, Nature Physics 2019 , 15 , 5 428.
• [30] J. J. Gómez-Cadenas, J. Martín-Albo, J. Menéndez, M. Mezzetto, F. Monrabal, M. Sorel, La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento 2023 , 46 619.
• [31] H.-W. Hammer, S. König, U. van Kolck, Rev. Mod. Phys. 2020 , 92 .
• [32] T. A. Lähde, U.-G. Meißner, Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory. An introduction , Lecture Notes in Physics. Springer Cham, 2019 .
• [33] O. Higgott, D. Wang, S. Brierley, Quantum 2019 , 3 156.
• [34] S. Gocho, et al., npj Computational Materials 2023 , 9 , 13.
• [35] M. Powell, Mathematics TODAY 2007 , 43 .
• [36] Qiskit contributors, Qiskit: An open-source framework for quantum computing, 2023 .
• [37] M. Schuld, V. Bergholm, C. Gogolin, J. Izaac, N. Killoran, Physical Review A 2019 , 99 .

UMD Offers New Minor in Quantum Science and Engineering

The University of Maryland will offer a new minor in quantum science and engineering beginning in spring 2025. Students in the minor will learn about quantum computing technologies, algorithms for quantum computers, characteristics of quantum materials, and sensing and noise in quantum systems.

“Our new quantum minor complements our well-recognized strength in quantum research and helps prepare our undergraduate students to join the workforce in this emerging field or attend graduate school and contribute to future quantum research,” said Sennur Ulukus, chair of UMD’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).

Undergraduate students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering and College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) will be eligible to enroll in the minor. Applications will be accepted online from October 28, 2024 to December 6, 2024. The minor was created through a multidisciplinary collaboration between the departments of ECE, physics , computer science , materials science and engineering , and mechanical engineering . 

“With this new program, we are significantly enhancing the set of courses on quantum topics for UMD undergraduates. The minor will let students approach quantum science and engineering from different angles and explore the subject deeply,” said Andrew Childs , a professor in the Department of Computer Science and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies . 

The new minor adds to UMD’s quantum education offerings, which include a quantum information specialization for computer science majors and quantum computing master’s and graduate certificate programs .

“Quantum information science is inherently multidisciplinary, going beyond just physics,” said Steve Rolston , chair and professor of the Department of Physics. “This minor will allow students throughout CMNS to learn about quantum.”

In addition to academics, UMD is a hub for quantum research and development. Over 200 quantum scientists and engineers at the university are exploiting the unique properties of quantum physics to usher in a new age of technology: quantum computers capable of currently intractable calculations, ultra-secure quantum networking and exotic new quantum materials.

The quantum enterprise at UMD includes the following:

• Joint Quantum Institute
• Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science
• Quantum Startup Foundry
• Quantum Technology Center
• Quantum Materials Center
• Condensed Matter Theory Center
• LPS Qubit Collaboratory
• NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation
• National Quantum Laboratory (Q-Lab)
• Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance

The Q-Lab will also provide equipment for two lab courses offered in the new minor, one focused on quantum hardware and the other focused on quantum software. The courses will give students a physical appreciation for what quantum can do on top of the math and science theory they will learn in their lecture courses.

“We’re not just teaching students about quantum mechanics. We’re preparing them to think in ways that bridge the classical and quantum-computing worlds,” said ECE Professor Patrick O’Shea , director of quantum education programming. “We educate our students to be creative quantum explorers, not just quantum-tourists.”

Adapted from text provided by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

About the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland educates more than 8,000 future scientific leaders in its undergraduate and graduate programs each year. The college's 10 departments and nine interdisciplinary research centers foster scientific discovery with annual sponsored research funding exceeding $250 million.

Media Relations Contact

Abby robinson, related news.

• Andrew Childs
• Steve Rolston
• Quantum Computing

share this!

August 9, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

Quantum computing: Finding solutions by the people for the people

by Dina Meek, National Center for Supercomputing Applications

PEARC24 launched its first Workshop on Broadly Accessible Quantum Computing (QC) as the full conference began, July 22, in Providence, RI. Led by NCSA's Bruno Abreu and QuEra's Tomasso Macri, 30+ participants included quantum chemists, system administrators, software developers, research computing facilitators, students and others looking to better understand the current status and the prospects of QC and its applications.

The workshop focused on how integrating quantum technologies into traditional research computing programs and facilities can benefit the broader community.

"There is a consensus that quantum computers will be very specialized machines that will deliver several flavors of advantages for specific computational problems," said Abreu.

"Overall, it's impossible to imagine an application solving a problem with substantial scientific and societal impact that runs entirely in a quantum computer. The much more likely scenario is one in which we have hybrid applications that leverage quantum information processing in tandem with conventional computing resources such as CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, and parallel file systems.

"Thus, connecting the advanced cyber infrastructure and the QC communities is a critical effort to the progress of QC and HPC. Starting to bridge the gap is what we wanted to get out of this workshop, and PEARC is a great platform for making this happen."

Through panel discussions as well as case studies, the workshop centered around how to make QC more accessible. Kicking off the workshop, Keynote speaker Yipeng Huang, assistant professor of computer science at Rutgers University, explained the current state of quantum computing and how some potential applications, such as factoring and search optimization, could benefit finance, industrial and logistics sectors.

However, among the issues quantum computing presents is that quantum states are fragile and susceptible to several types of noise. Error correction codes to address that noise can be quite expensive and require conventional computing in tandem with quantum information processing.

Though simulation will continue to play a crucial and growing role as quantum computing systems scale into the era of quantum error correction, researchers will need access to more powerful simulation tools.

So how will we continue to make progress, given quantum is very much a problem if you don't know what you don't know? In a word, people.

Huang spoke about the work Rutgers has done in considering workforce development in QC, including his creation of a quantum-focused curriculum. However, he said, there are very few QC programs outside of R1 institutions. Beyond that issue, Huang said growing a strong quantum computing workforce really requires engagement at the early grade school level, all the way through graduate school.

The ultimate software is people.

The conversation shifted to energy consumption in a panel discussion focused on the transformative power of quantum technologies. Panelist Nicholas Harrigan of NVIDIA noted that a quantum computer will have to have a supercomputer running alongside it and that NVIDIA's runs the most energy-efficient supercomputers in the world.

Fellow panelist Travis Scholten from IBM observed that assessing the usefulness of quantum computers based solely on single-number metrics (such as energy consumption) alone is premature, quipping that "Quantum advantage is in the eye of the beholder," and pointing out that in current computational workflows, tradeoffs are always made about speed, accuracy, energy and a myriad of other factors.

Harrigan agreed, saying you must measure the impact versus the cost, such as energy consumption. For example, he said quantum is better at computing-intense problems than data-intense problems, so the devices should be seen as hugely impactful innovation tools, rather than widespread data processing centers.

Rounding back to the importance of people in advancing quantum computing, Harrigan and Scholten both agreed that partnerships will be critical; for example, QC developers aren't going to understand what a specific domain needs without partnering.

The final panel discussion of the day asked, "What Do We Need to Make Quantum Resources Useful and Broadly Accessible?" Again, the answer seemed to essentially be "people."

Erik Garcell from Classiq said the more people who have access to quantum computing, the more useful it will be. Fellow panelist and QuEra Co-founder Nate Gemelke added, "The ultimate software is people," saying accelerating education in quantum is the real challenge. He said it's hard to pinpoint how far out "useful and broad access" is—it could be five years, it could be 25 years. But clearly, acclimating people to quantum computing is key to progress.

Gemelke said there may be too much of a bias in thinking about how classical computing has been developed that it's stifling development of quantum computing, adding the need to bring new thinkers in to "play" in the space without worrying about the cost or immediate results.

Garcell concurred, noting quantum is a scary concept for a lot of people and we need to make it friendlier, particularly for young students. Gemelke echoed the idea of starting students early in QC, even citing the book "Quantum Computing for Babies" (Sourcebooks Explore), saying if you can teach the youngest mind what a quantum bit is, they may be able to come at these challenges in a different way.

"Quantum is an important experiment for humanity," Gemelke said. "I believe we will all be humbled by what we achieve."

Abreu concluded by saying that while gauging the appropriate content and audience for a first workshop iteration is always challenging, the organizers were pleased to see such an engaged group of people who not only were interested in learning about QC through the many sessions throughout the day but also contributed with thoughtful comments and questions.

"I think we had an excellent balance of academic and industry folks, which resonates with the overall theme of making QC accessible since, as pointed out during the workshop, collaboration is critical," he said.

"The feedback we received was quite positive and we are very much looking forward to organizing this again for PEARC25. The QC landscape evolves at a very quick pace, and we are confident much progress will unfold to make the next iteration full of new content. We will definitely need a bigger room."

Provided by National Center for Supercomputing Applications

Explore further

Feedback to editors

Saturday Citations: A rare misstep for Boeing; mouse jocks and calorie restriction; human brains in sync

2 hours ago

Flood of 'junk': How AI is changing scientific publishing

8 hours ago

135-million-year-old marine crocodile sheds light on Cretaceous life

18 hours ago

Researchers discover new material for optically-controlled magnetic memory

A new mechanism for shaping animal tissues

20 hours ago

NASA tests deployment of Roman Space Telescope's 'visor'

21 hours ago

How do butterflies stick to branches during metamorphosis?

22 hours ago

Historic fires trapped in Antarctic ice yield key information for climate models

Hubble spotlights a supernova

23 hours ago

New technology uses light to engrave erasable 3D images

Relevant physicsforums posts, the claymath 4-d qft problem and virtual particles (as an example).

10 hours ago

FTL signals connected to a previous non-FTL discussion are possible?

Aug 8, 2024

Time to the collapse

Aug 7, 2024

Converting momentum sums to integrals in curved spacetime

Calculating higher order terms for electron anomalous magnetic moment, laser interference pattern flickering.

Aug 6, 2024

More from Quantum Physics

Related Stories

Quokka: A tiny, personal quantum computer emulator

Jun 25, 2024

Unlocking quantum computing power: Automated protocol design for quantum advantage

Mar 25, 2024

Quantum computing to spark 'cybersecurity Armageddon,' IBM says

Jan 18, 2024

New research area promotes both quantum computing and cognitive science

Mar 26, 2024

IBM says it's reached milestone in quantum computing

Nov 10, 2017

Developing doubly sustainable quantum computers

Feb 20, 2024

Recommended for you

Achieving quantum memory in the notoriously difficult X-ray range

Aug 9, 2024

New 2D quantum sensor detects temperature anomalies and magnetic fields

After AI, quantum computing eyes its 'Sputnik' moment

X-ray imagery of vibrating diamond opens avenues for quantum sensing

Physicists develop new method to combine conventional internet with the quantum internet

Aug 5, 2024

Cold antimatter for quantum state-resolved precision measurements

Aug 2, 2024

Let us know if there is a problem with our content

Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form . For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines ).

Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request

Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.

Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.

E-mail the story

Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form.

Newsletter sign up

Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties.

More information Privacy policy

Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience

We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account.

E-mail newsletter