Hands-On Lab Skills Key for Quantum Jobs

Marcus Stephen Edwards

Ciaran Hughes, Doug Finke, Adrian German +3 more

Background: Quantum information science and technology (QIST) has progressed significantly in the last decade, such that it is no longer solely in the domain of research labs, but is now beginning to be developed for, and applied in, industrial applications and products. With the emergence of this new quantum industry, a new workforce trained in QIST skills and knowledge is needed. Research Questions: To help support the education and training of this workforce, universities and colleges require knowledge of the type of jobs available for their students and what skills and degrees are most relevant for those new jobs. What are these jobs, skills, and degrees? Methodology: We report on the results from a survey of 57 companies in the quantum industry, with the goal of elucidating the jobs, skills, and degrees that are relevant for this new workforce. Findings: We find a range of job opportunities from highly specific jobs, such as quantum algorithm developer and error correction scientist, to broader jobs categories within the business, software, and hardware sectors. These broader jobs require a range of skills, most of which are not quantum related. Furthermore, except for the highly specific jobs, companies that responded to the survey are looking for a range of degree levels to fill these new positions, from bachelors to masters to Ph.D.s. Contribution: With this knowledge, students, instructors, and university administrators can make informed decisions about how to address the challenge of increasing the future quantum workforce.

Gabriele Rainò, Lukáš Novotný, Martin Frimmer

Federico Galetto, Hiram H. López, Mehdi Rahmati +2 more

As the field of quantum computing rapidly advances, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals adept in quantum computing and programming. Recognizing this need, in this paper, we share our experiences teaching an introductory-level quantum computing course to students at Cleveland State University (CSU). The course integrates dedicated hands-on programming labs, allowing students to verify their experimental results with corresponding examples from the textbook. These labs cover a diverse range of topics, including fundamental elements such as quantum gates and circuits, quantum key distribution protocols, and quantum algorithms. As educators, our goal is to share teaching insights and resources with fellow instructors in the field. This article elucidates the rationale behind the design of each experiment, providing a deeper understanding of quantum computing.

Haoran Liu, Zhou Fang, Qing Xu +5 more

Both quantum and classical noise are fundamental features of laser beams. This work introduces a quantum optics model to distinguish the two types of noise in a Michelson interferometer experiment for undergraduate education. By measuring photon flux noise in an interferometer, this lab enables undergraduates to observe quantum fluctuations in real data, distinguish quantum noise from classical noise, and develop hands-on skills in optical alignment and quantum measurement. By turning abstract quantum concepts into tangible experiences, it provides foundational training for emerging quantum technologies.

Bobbi DePorter, Mike Hernacki