Walton Institute Launches €4M Project to Train Quantum Innovators

The Walton Institute at South East Technological University has been awarded a significant €4 million project aimed at training the next generation of experts in quantum technology. This initiative, named Questing, is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network and will focus on developing skills critical for the future of quantum internet systems.

Questing will bring together nine leading European universities and 13 industry partners, addressing a vital challenge in the realm of technology. It is the first doctoral network dedicated to the complete lifecycle of distributed quantum networks. Over the next few years, the project will provide funding for 15 PhD candidates, who will be trained as ‘Q-System Innovators.’ These specialists will possess interdisciplinary expertise in quantum technology, communications, computing, and social sciences.

The project is designed to tackle an urgent skills shortage in Europe. As quantum networks hold the potential to revolutionize secure communications and distributed computing, there is an increasing need for a well-trained workforce capable of designing, managing, and operating these complex systems on a large scale. By equipping specialists with a thorough understanding of quantum systems from design to deployment, Questing aims to enhance Europe’s competitive edge in developing the Quantum Internet.

Dr. Indrakshi Dey, Principal Investigator of Questing at Walton Institute, emphasized the significance of the initiative. “We are not just offering 15 PhD positions,” she stated. “We are inviting exceptional minds to join an elite, interdisciplinary team backed by industry leaders and world-class infrastructure.” This project represents a pivotal advancement in the country’s standing within quantum research.

As the coordinator of the Questing consortium, Walton Institute will oversee the entire initiative, further enhancing its international profile and attracting top doctoral talent to the south east region of Ireland. The institute is well-equipped for this role, bringing extensive experience in managing large-scale EU projects.

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

The Questing consortium includes notable partners such as Trinity College Dublin and the University of Galway’s Irish Centre for High-End Computing. It also features collaborations with industry giants including Airbus Defence and Space, British Telecommunications, Telecom Italia, and the Austrian Institute of Technology.

Through this ambitious initiative, the Walton Institute aims to not only fill the existing skills gap in quantum technology but also to establish a harmonised doctoral curriculum that could set the standard for training in quantum network systems across Europe. This forward-thinking approach is critical as the continent endeavors to remain at the forefront of technological innovation in the rapidly evolving field of quantum communications.