A disruptive four-year PhD program in quantum information science and quantum technologies
Our CDT
The aim of the Quantum Information Science and Technologies Centre for Doctoral Training (QIST CDT) is to train the UK’s best quantum scientists and engineers, capable of working in all areas of the emerging quantum technology industry sector.
Employability and the job market
Quantum technology is one of the UK Government’s five key strategic priorities. Graduates from this course could be in high-demand for well-paid and interesting jobs that make meaningful contributions to society. A 2023 report by the Boston Consulting group noted that quantum computing could provide up to $10bn in benefits worldwide within 3-5 years, with this number skyrocketing to $850bn in the next 15-30 years. Similar numbers are provided for quantum sensing ($5bn by 2030) and communication ($13bn by 2030). Quantum computing has received an estimated investment of $1.7bn in 2021 alone and the UK QIST ecosystem has the highest level of venture capital investment in Europe. Overall, a global combined effort exceeding £28bn in 20237 illustrates the strategic importance of QIST and the pressing need to continue growing the UK’s critical mass of expertise and resources. QIST are a national strategic priority, where the UK is ideally placed to be a world leader in the new quantum technologies industry.
Teaching program
Students will access teaching programmes at both Bristol and Sussex and the QIST CDT will be embedded in three internationally leading research groups, the Quantum Engineering Technology Laboratories (QET Labs), the Bristol Quantum Information Institute, and the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies (SCQT).
Together this world-leading team has a wealth of experience and expertise, covering a huge array of QIST, spanning integrated quantum photonics, ion traps, quantum simulation, quantum networking and communication, quantum software and algorithms, quantum sensors and clocks, and fault-tolerant quantum computing.
The team’s academic pool boasts strong industry links and includes coinvestigators in all four of the current UK Quantum Technology Hubs. Capitalising on the groups’ STFC- and UKRI-funded research strength, students will have opportunities to apply QIST to fundamental physics, and work with academics and partners who are strongly aligned with the next phase of Quantum Technology hubs, on projects that fit perfectly within the hubs’ research themes. All students will benefit from the Bristol-based Quantum Frontier – the innovation ecosystem that encompasses the highly successful Quantum Technologies Enterprise Centre (QTEC) and Quantum Technology Innovation Centre (QTIC). In addition, the QIST CDT will utilise the Sussex Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), one of the world’s leading centres of research on science, technology and innovation policy and management, to provide dedicated training to enable students to work on science policy projects.
QIST CDT students will, from day one, engage with bespoke training opportunities provided by combining the unique ecosystems at the Universities of Bristol and Sussex.
Case study: Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing Master Class at Sussex
At Sussex the masterclass will be led by world-leading quantum computing theorist Gerard Milburn (FRS), including a software engineer formerly working at Google (Joe Swainston) and two talented PDRAS (one with focus on quantum gates (Chris Knapp) and the other focussing on electronics engineering for quantum computing (Pedro Taylor Burdett)), we will offer a Microwave Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing Master Class at Sussex.
The Master class will be open for our doctoral students based at Sussex. Students will receive training in critical skills for microwave trapped-ion quantum computing during first year of the CDT giving them authentic training towards the development of practical quantum computers.
Gerard Milburn (FRS)
Team leader and world-leading computing theorist
Joe Swainston
Focus on software engineering
Chris Knapp
Focus on quantum gates
Pedro Taylor Burdett
Focus on electronics engineering for quantum computing
Our Applications Cover Diverse Corporate Markets
Research
The QIST CDT is embedded in three internationally leading research groups, the Quantum Engineering Technology Laboratories (QET Labs), the Bristol Quantum Information Institute, and the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies (SCQT).
Research at Sussex
The University of Sussex has a long-standing internationally-leading reputation in trapped-ion quantum computing. Sussex hosts two major ion trapping research groups operating over 11 separate ion trap experiments as a platform to develop quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum networking and quantum clocks. The University stands out as one of the largest ion trapping centres in the world. The IQT group is developing practical, utility-scale ion-trap quantum computers. Sussex researchers pioneered the first strong interaction between an ion and a photon and theoretical research from the centre has given rise to an experiment that has been taken up by the International Space Station. From building practical quantum computers, constructing a quantum internet, realising a quantum radar to detecting brain activity via quantum sensors, Sussex is a critical mass concentration for the development of the wide range of quantum technologies with highly disruptive industry applications.
You can find our research areas here:
Below are some recent research highlights:
Research at Bristol
With multiple key breakthroughs in the past decade that will lead to the development of large-scale quantum technologies in the future, photonics is one of the technological platforms leading the way.
With the development of the resource and the integrated quantum chip, the University of Bristol spearheaded this quantum revolution. Now researchers at the University of Bristol push photonic quantum technologies forward while integrating with other quantum platforms.
You can find our research areas here:
Sussex based
Sahra Ahmed Kulmiya
QE-CDT student Sahra Ahmed Kulmiya was interviewed for her work on quantum computing, including a feature for BBC Breakfast! Sahra, who was in cohort 6, studied for her PhD with Prof Hensinger at Sussex University. “Being a Bristol CDT student working on exciting stuff at the IQT (Ion Quantum Technology) Group at Sussex has been a very rewarding experience.
Industry partners
The QIST CDT has an extensive network of world-class industrial partners who dramatically enhance the training and student experience by providing knowledge, skills and opportunities well beyond that typically available in a PhD programme.
There are many benefits of becoming a partner of the CDT, and we offer a number of different mechanisms to engage with our programme. Examples of these include:
News
Events
Meet the team
QIST CDT Leadership
Dr Jorge Barreto, Director and Bristol PI
After his degree in Physics by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Dr Barreto obtained a PhD at the Microelectronics National Centre before joining the Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory in Birmingham. For the last decade he has led the development of integrated single photon detectors at QETLabs. His current interests are the integration of photonic components for the implementation of quantum photonics processors at cryogenic temperatures.
Prof Winfried Hensinger, Deputy Director and Sussex PI
Winfried Hensinger is a Professor of Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex where he heads the Sussex Ion Quantum Technology Group. He is the director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies. He is a co-founder of Universal Quantum, a full stack quantum computing company, where he serves as Chief Scientist and Chairman. Hensinger’s group is working on developing practical trapped-ion quantum computers as well developing quantum simulation engines and quantum sensors. In 2017, Hensinger led a team from Google, Aarhus University, Siegen and Riken in proposing the first industrial blueprint to build a practical quantum computer with millions of qubits capable of solving important industry problems.
The Bristol CDT Team
Ms Lin Burden
Lin has been with the CDT from the very beginning, helping to manage all aspects of the programme.
Dr Rob Hicks
Rob acts as the primary point of contact for all industry engagement matters in relation to the QE-CDT. Prior to joining the CDT, Rob worked as a Portfolio Manager within the Artificial Intelligence team at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Ms Sorrel Johnson
Sorrel joined the CDT in 2019 on secondment from the Student Funding Office where she managed postgraduate funding for the University for 15 years. After obtaining her degree, she spent 5 years living in London before returning to her home city. Bristol born and bred, she has extensive local knowledge so feel free to ask any questions!
Dr Carrie Weidner
Dr. Weidner is trained as a physicist and applied mathematician. She comes to Bristol with extensive experience with and research interest in experimental cold atom physics and quantum control, as well as quantum education and outreach.
The Sussex CDT Team
Prof Jacob Dunningham
Prof Dunningham is Professor of Physics, Deputy Director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies. Jacob’s research spans the fields of quantum information, quantum optics, Bose-Einstein condensation and metrology. He is interested in fundamental issues of quantum physics and how they can be exploited in practical schemes and new technologies. He has supervised 14 PhD students and published three books and more than 80 papers in peer-reviewed journals including Science, Nature journals and Physical Review Letters. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics.
Prof Paul Nightingale
Prof. Nightingale is a Professor of Strategy in SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit) and he holds the post of Associate Dean of Research in the Business School. Paul originally trained as a chemist working in industry, after his PhD, he did a lot of work on bioinformatics systems and risk management technology investment banks. Paul has also worked extensively on policy work on innovation policy in the UK and led NESTA’S Innovation Gap research project. His main areas of work now relate to finance and financial innovation and it’s impact on the economy. This involves work on the funding of small firms, especially innovative small firms. He also works on project delivery, trying to understand what drives success in major transformational projects and major R&D projects.
Dr Fedja Orucevic
Dr Orucevic’s research interests encompass both fundamental and applied quantum physics. Fedja is involved in various research projects in ultracold atoms, including the fundamental studies of low-dimensional quantum gases. On the more applied side, he works on the design and optimisation of low-powered cold atoms sources and the development of quantum sensors. As an investigator in the UK National Quantum Hub for Sensing and Timing, the focus of his research is on development of quantum magnetometers for use in navigation, healthcare and electric vehicle battery characterisation and diagnostics – much of this work is done in collaboration with industrial partners.
Mrs Sinead Rance
Sinead is the CDT centre Manager here at Sussex, she has been supporting research at the University for 12 years and brings extensive experience supporting Post Graduate Researchers as she is also currently the Assistant Research Manager for our 4 Sciences Schools at the University. Sinead has also previously managed a EU-Horizon2020 ETN for 5 years. She will be managing all aspects of the course/programme and always available for help needed.
How to apply
Your application is made in two parts. Please fill in the form below and then apply via the respective application systems of the universities you would like to be considered. You can apply at one or both of the partner institutions depending whether you would like to be considered for one or both institutions.