The future is quantum: universities look to train engineers for an emerging industry

Stewart Wills

How should the emerging quantum technology industry educate and train its future workforce?

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.

Andreas Jenet, C. Trefzger, Fabio F. Taucer +4 more

Gabriele Rainò, Lukáš Novotný, Martin Frimmer

Samuel Sepúlveda, Ania Cravero

Context: Quantum computing (QC) represents a paradigm shift in computational capabilities, presenting unique challenges in requirements engineering (RE). The complexity of quantum systems and rapid technological advancements necessitate a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future trajectories in RE for QC. Objective: A protocol for carrying out a systematic literature review about the evidence for identifying and analyzing the challenges in RE for QC software. It seeks to evaluate the current methodologies employed in this domain and propose a forward-looking perspective on the evolution of these methodologies to meet future industry and academic needs. Method: This protocol employs a structured approach to search and analyze relevant literature systematically, according to Barbara Kitchenham's guidelines. Results: A validated protocol to conduct a systematic review. The protocol is expected to yield diverse literature spanning theoretical frameworks, empirical studies, and methodological advancements in RE for QC. It will highlight the current challenges, opportunities, and future directions, offering insights into the field's academic and practical aspects. Conclusions: The systematic review aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the RE landscape in QC. It will offer valuable insights for academic researchers, industry professionals, software engineers, industry analysts, and educators, shaping the future discourse in QC development.

Franziska Greinert, Malte S. Ubben, Ismet N. Dogan +2 more

Abstract The transition of second-generation quantum technologies from a research topic to a topic of industrial relevance has led to a growing number of quantum companies and businesses that are exploring quantum technologies. Examples would include a start-up building a quantum key distribution device, a large company working on integrating a quantum sensing core into a product, or a company providing quantum computing consultancy. They all face different challenges and needs in terms of building their quantum workforce and training in quantum concepts, technologies and how to derive value from them. With the study documented in this paper, we aim to identify these needs and provide a picture of the industry’s requirements in terms of workforce development and (external) training and materials. We discuss, for example, the shortage of engineers and jobs relevant to the quantum industry, the challenge of getting people interested in quantum, and the need for training at different levels and in different formats – from awareness raising and self-learning materials to university courses in quantum systems engineering. The findings are based on 34 semi-structured interviews with industry representatives and a follow-up questionnaire to validate some of the issues raised in the interviews. These results have influenced activities in EU projects, including an update of the European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies.