The quantum computing sector is dynamic and fast moving. Professionals from all walks of life are taking advantage of this chance to pivot into this innovative space. Antoine Martin, who before this fortune-telling year spent a decade in the robotics, semiconductors, and cryptocurrency industries, illustrates this trend. Most recently, he joined Alice & Bob as a software engineer. This is a big change in his career, moving him into the thrilling field of quantum technology. This change is a reminder that as the industry gets closer to commercial readiness, the need for talent with multiple different kinds of expertise is increasing.
The need to recruit research experts Experts stress that a Ph.D. is considered the industry gold standard for research-intensive roles. Contrary to popular belief, every role in quantum computing doesn’t need a Ph.D. Daniel Florentina Bogorin, research engineer at IBM Quantum. He then received his Ph.D. in physics, focused on low-temperature physics and solid-state superconducting materials. Her experience represents what is at stake without specialized knowledge in critical positions. Simultaneously, it opens its doors to candidates with wide-ranging educational experiences.
The Pathway to Quantum Careers
Dan Higginbotham is the senior director for human resources at QuEra, a Boston-based startup building the next generation of advanced neutral-atoms-based quantum computers. He notes that the quantum careers landscape is changing by the minute. Though traditional qualifications have long ruled the field, skills from other sectors are proving to be more and more applicable. People who come from an artificial intelligence (AI) background include skills that are already immensely relevant. These competencies align seamlessly with the developing fields of quantum computing.
John Barnes, founder of the quantum talent agency Entangled Positions, urges hopeful candidates to “reverse engineer” their career trajectories. This method consists of defining the roles they want to fill and then charting the specific skills it takes to thrive in those roles. In doing so, candidates will be better able to apply their education and experiences to specific industry needs.
According to Giancarlo Hirsch, managing director of Glocomms, an international recruitment firm, these feelings about skill transferability are all too common. He paints a hopeful picture when discussing the transferable skills that AI and other tech sector workers can contribute to quantum computing jobs. This viewpoint aligns perfectly with the belief that diverse experiences, identities, and backgrounds strengthen the quantum workforce.
The Importance of Skills and Experience
Although most jobs in quantum computing won’t need a doctoral degree, experiential knowledge is key. Martin’s advice to anyone looking to break into the quantum field is to start by asking yourself, “What’s your end goal? This question allows the candidate to dive into promulgation areas they’re looking forward to working on. It opens their eyes to the new skill set they’ll need to succeed.
We can already follow the path of Neereja Sundaresan’s experience to see how broad experiences create successful careers in quantum computing. After her Ph.D. studies in electrical engineering, she landed a job as a research scientist at IBM Quantum. Her academic training—research development methodology and evaluation—offered a strong base for her integral role in this creative, boundary-pushing field.
One of the great things about the skills diversity represented within the industry is that collaboration is the hallmark of this exciting new quantum technology development. Scientists and engineers with specialties in physics, AI and other engineering disciplines provide distinctive insights and skills that propel research and applications forward. We believe this interdisciplinary approach is critical, especially as our industry continues to look for innovative solutions to more complicated problems.
Navigating Industry Standards
A Ph.D. certainly isn’t needed for every job in quantum computing. It is regularly a central requirement for deep research-oriented positions, particularly in the rapidly-evolving world of quantum hardware development. Specialized education can be key to improving job prospects in this highly competitive field, as seen with candidates such as Daniela Florentina Bogorin.