Walton Institute Launches €4M Project to Train Quantum Innovators

Walton Institute at South East Technological University (SETU) has been awarded a significant project worth €4 million to lead the Questing initiative, a doctoral network aimed at cultivating the next generation of quantum internet specialists. This project, supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), will unite nine European universities and 13 industry partners to tackle critical challenges in quantum technology.

The Questing project marks the first doctoral network in Europe focused on the entire lifecycle of distributed quantum networks. Over the next few years, it will train 15 fully-funded PhD candidates to become ‘Q-System Innovators’, individuals with interdisciplinary expertise that spans quantum technology, communications, computing, and social sciences.

The initiative addresses a pressing skills shortage in the field. As quantum networks promise to transform secure communications and distributed computing, Europe faces a growing need for a workforce capable of designing, managing, and operating these advanced systems at scale. Questing aims to position Europe competitively in the global race to develop the Quantum Internet by equipping specialists with comprehensive training that encompasses the design and deployment of quantum systems.

Building a New Standard in Quantum Training

A harmonised doctoral curriculum will be established through this project, setting a new European standard for training in quantum network systems. Dr. Indrakshi Dey, Principal Investigator of Questing at Walton Institute, highlighted the project’s ambition: “We are not just offering 15 PhD positions. We are inviting exceptional minds to join an elite, interdisciplinary team backed by industry leaders and world-class infrastructure.”

This initiative significantly enhances the profile of Walton Institute and the broader region in quantum research. As the consortium’s coordinator, Walton Institute will manage the collaboration, which includes prestigious partners such as Trinity College Dublin and the University of Galway’s Irish Centre for High-End Computing. Industry collaborators include Airbus Defence and Space, British Telecommunications, Telecom Italia, and the Austrian Institute of Technology.

Dr. Deirdre Kilbane, Director of Research at Walton Institute, emphasized the expansion of existing quantum expertise: “We are expanding on our existing quantum expertise with the announcement of this Questing project here in Walton Institute. Our team of researchers will be leaders in theoretical modelling and optimisation of advanced quantum networks, which will benefit society in untold ways.”

The Questing project represents a pivotal step towards addressing the urgent need for skilled professionals in the field of quantum technology, ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of this rapidly evolving sector. As the initiative unfolds, it promises to foster a new generation of innovators equipped to harness the full potential of quantum networks, ultimately shaping the future of secure communications and computing.