The UK is training a new generation of experts to build the software and services that will make quantum computers actually useful, rather than building the machines themselves. Quantum computers promise immense processing power, but they are useless without the software, networks, and applications to connect them to real-world problems. This Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Informatics will train over 75 PhD students across five universities to bridge that gap. The programme tackles three core challenges: designing quantum networks and devices for practical use, creating software that works at scale alongside existing systems, and analysing how quantum technology can best solve specific end-user problems. If successful, this cohort of researchers will become the UK’s future leaders in quantum informatics. They will be equipped to integrate quantum hardware with high-performance computing, design effective quantum software, and apply it in areas such as secure communications, drug discovery, logistics, and materials science. The programme brings together over 65 academic experts, three public sector partners, and more than 30 industry partners, ensuring the training is grounded in real-world needs. The result will be a skilled workforce capable of turning quantum hardware into practical, society-wide impact.
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Quantum technology will revolutionise many aspects of life and bring enormous benefits to the economy and society. The Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Informatics (QI CDT) will provide advanced training in the structure, behaviour, and interaction of quantum hardware, software, and applications. The training programme spans computer sciences, mathematics, physics, and engineering, and will enable the use of quantum technology in a way that is integrable, interoperable, and impactful, rather than developing the hardware itself. The training programme targets three research challenges with a strong focus on end user impact: (i) quantum service architecture concerns how to design quantum networks and devices most usefully; (ii) scalable quantum software is about feasible application at scale of quantum technology and its integration with other software; and (iii) quantum application analysis investigates how quantum technology can be used most advantageously to solve end user problems. The QI CDT will offer 75+ PhD students an intensive 4-year training and research programme that equips them with the skills needed to tackle the research challenges of quantum informatics. This new generation will be able to integrate quantum hardware with high-performance computing, design effective quantum software, and apply this in a societally meaningful way. The QI CDT brings together a coalition with national reach including over 65 academic experts in quantum informatics from five universities - the University of Edinburgh, the University of Oxford, University College London, Heriot-Watt University, and the University of Strathclyde - and three public sector partners - the National Quantum Computing Centre, the National Physical Laboratory, and the Hartree Centre. A network of over 30 industry partners, diverse in size and domain expertise, and 9 leading international universities, give students the best basis for meaningful and collaborative research. A strong focus on cohort-based training will make QI CDT students into a diverse network of future leaders in Quantum Informatics in the UK.
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