Hear from alumni of the MSc in Physics – Quantum Technology specialization at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), as they share insights into their experiences.
Rahul Menon, class of 2021
Research Assistant at IQC
How did the program prepare you for your current career or academic path?
The Quantum Technology M.Sc. program was the perfect fit for me. It allowed me to build on the strong theoretical background from my undergraduate studies while gaining hands-on experience through rigorous lab courses each term. Before the program, my only introduction to quantum computing was through online courses and self-study.
The program provided much-needed practical experience and training in various quantum research platforms, preparing me for both industry and academia. I am actually getting to use the skills from all three lab courses in my research projects as there happens to be significant overlap with the research I find interesting right now.
Student working on a dilution cryostat that is used to cool superconducting qubits to their operating temperature (~15 milliKelvin).
What specific skills or experiences from the program have been most valuable in your post-graduation work?
The multiple lab courses were invaluable, equipping me with a versatile toolkit and the confidence to tackle diverse projects after graduation. The environment at the Research Advancement Centre also provided the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from brilliant researchers, sparking new ideas and offering a glimpse into various research possibilities.
These interactions not only deepened my understanding of the concepts I was studying but also provided valuable insights that have continued to shape my work as a Research Assistant at TQT. Personally the introduction into NVs has been especially valuable with it relevance to various approaches to quantum sensing that I hope to work on moving forward.
For someone considering this program, what advice would you give?
For anyone interested in the emerging field of quantum technologies but lacking experience, this program is an ideal starting point. You’ll be exposed to various aspects of quantum tech and see how concepts from one platform apply to others. It may seem overwhelming at first, but working through pre-labs and being open to asking questions will be essential. Once you master the foundational concepts for each platform it will allow you to transition to any area of quantum that catches your interest.
If you’re torn between a career in academia or industry, this program will prepare you for both while fostering skill growth. I would also advise making the most of the opportunity to engage with researchers at RAC and IQC, you will get to speak with people working on a variety of different projects and you learn a lot just through these conversations and you never what might spark your interest.
Students characterizing a single spin qubit using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.
Zach St.Pierre, class of 2022
Research Lab Technician at University of Southern California
How did the program prepare you for your current career or academic path?
I am currently working as a Research Lab Technician at University of Southern California. The work in the lab mostly focuses on quantum sensing applications using optics. The course work from the program provided most of the background knowledge required to obtain this type of position and definitely gave me a leg up over other candidates with only a Bachelor's degree.
What specific skills or experiences from the program have been most valuable in your post-graduate work?
As I work in an optics lab, predictably the quantum optics lab course has been the most valuable experience and generator of skills that are useful in my position. Just off the top of my head, the labs exploring photon statistics, single photon sources and coincidences, g2, and the Mach-Zender interferometer have all been part of experiments that we have run in the USC lab in the short time that I have worked there.
In addition, the knowledge from other courses has also been useful. I've used topics from the non-lab courses for theory work and discussions. Just today I discussed spin ensembles in magnetic fields as was explored in the NMR lab. The practice of writing an article style paper in overleaf like in the superconducting lab has been helpful.. the list goes on.
A nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer along with a set of liquid samples used for quantum control of 1 and 2 qubits.
For someone considering this program, what advice would you give?
This program is a great opportunity to get hands-on laboratory skills in important quantum technology topics while learning the required background for a career in this field. It can prepare you for further study or starting a career in an industry or academic setting. It does cover a broad range of topics and only lasts a year so you will not become an expert in any one area just from this experience.
If you already have an idea of what specific field within quantum technology that you would like to pursue, I may suggest you go for a more targeted program. However, if like me you are entering without knowing which specific area interests you most or you just want a more general quantum experience/education then this is the perfect program to hone your skills and figure out which path you want to pursue.
You should take advantage of the more targeted research project option too when you feel you have a good idea of what field interests you most and you should be well on your way to kickstarting the rest of your career.
Tejas Naik, class of 2022
Junior Scientist at Quantum Valley Ideas Lab
How did the program prepare you for your current career or academic path?
The MSc Physics (Quantum Technologies) program at the Institute for Quantum Computing provided a perfect balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience that directly prepared me for my current role at Quantum Valley Ideas Lab (QVIL). The lab courses on quantum control, photonic quantum technology, and low-temperature quantum technology gave me practical exposure to cutting-edge quantum systems, which proved essential for my work on spin physics and quantum sensing.
What specific skills or experiences from the program have been most valuable in your post-graduate work?
The most valuable skills I gained were in quantum control techniques and the ability to model and implement quantum systems—skills I now use daily in my role. Courses on quantum algorithms and quantum information theory also gave me a strong theoretical foundation that complements my experimental work.
For someone considering this program, what advice would you give?
For those considering this program, I would advise making the most of the lab courses, as they offer unparalleled hands-on experience that directly translates to industry and research roles.
Student working on equations in the photonics lab
Ilyas Sharif, class of 2022
Research Lab Technician at University of Southern California
How did the program prepare you for your current career or academic path?
This program exposed me to the diverse domains and applications of quantum technology through networking events, innovative challenges like Quantum for Health, the immersive laboratory courses, and the independent research course. The exploratory nature of the program allowed me to tackle challenging problems from multiple perspectives, ranging from rigorous theoretical courses to meticulous experimental labs.
The consistent exposure to complex problems in a supportive and collaborative environment developed my problems-solving skills and enabled me to explore interesting problems at the intersection of machine learning and quantum technology. These experiences helped me discover my true interests and ultimately guided me towards my current career path.
Students working with liquid helium flow cryostats. One cryostat (front) contains a superconducting microwave resonator (readout on a vector network analyzer) and the other (rear) contains Josephson junctions. These two devices are integral to the construction of superconducting qubit architectures.
Students looking at a dilution cryostat that is used to cool superconducting qubits to ultra-low temperatures (~15 milliKelvin)
What specific skills or experiences from the program have been most valuable in your post-graduation work?
The Quantum Technology specialization strongly emphasized problem-solving and critical thinking. The most valuable experiences for me were the laboratory courses, which not only provided hands-on experience with various quantum devices, but also developed my skills in collecting, analyzing and presenting experimental results.
These labs served as an intersection between theoretical and experimental physics, allowing me to refine my analytical, problem-solving, and computational abilities – skills that I rely on consistently in my current career.
For someone considering this program, what advice would you give?
The independent project course is one of the most impactful experiences within the program, as it allows you to contribute to the exciting work going on at IQC. Take full advantage of this program by taking this course!