QUIP Brings Young Quantum Scientists to Rhineland-Palatinate

Project Quantum Initiative Rhineland-Palatinate (QUIP) at Fraunhofer ITWM

In the project »QUIP«, the Quantum Initiative Rhineland-Palatinate, the focus is on young scientists. More precisely, we support Young Scientists with targeted measures together with our project partners on the topic of quantum computing (QC) and quantum technologies (QT). The project, funded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science and Health (MWG), offers a detailed and broad research program for education, training and networking.

Quantum technologies and the start of QC research are already strongly established in Rhineland-Palatinate, both in projects of universities and institutions as well as in companies. The big challenge is to train and further educate experts with this focus in a targeted manner, as well as to gather them at one place for networking in a targeted manner. This also means attracting students and graduates from all over the world to the Rhineland-Palatinate. QUIP therefore concentrates on very specific building blocks of research: The Quantum Graduate Center (QGC) will be established, and, in addition, the project participants will organize internships and research stays as well as summer schools on the topic of »quantum technologies«. 

The QUIP consortium is made up of a team consisting of RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, DFKI, JGU and Fraunhofer ITWM. The scientific management of the overall project is based at the RPTU with Prof. Dr. Herwig Ott as project manager. In order to ensure a structured and high-quality organisation of the promotion of young scientists and the research training group, a scientific coordination team (the Science Coordination Team (SCT)) was established at Fraunhofer ITWM. It is responsible for the structured organization of these programs.

The Goals of the Scientific Coordination Team (SCT):

  • Organization of the Quantum Graduate Center
  • Organization and realization of internships
  • Organization and implementation of summer schools
  • Promotion and networking of young quantum researchers in Rhineland-Palatinate

Structured Qualification Concept in the Quantum Graduate Center

The QGC is a central element of QUIP. It connects and supports young researchers in the field of quantum technologies. All PhD students with topics in »quantum computing and quantum technologies« are invited to apply for the QGC.

Our QGC offers an attractive, broad range of scientific programs and individual training. Expand and deepen your research with our workshops! We support you in developing your personal and entrepreneurial expertise. The QGC creates space for joint research, knowledge exchange and professional networking.
 

Scientific Program of the Quantum Graduate Center

The modules of the Quantum Graduate Center are flexible and are adapted to the needs of the young scientists. Core elements of the QGC are:

  • We offer one PhD position with focus on Quantum Computing an the Fraunhofer ITWM (apply below in the blue info box)
  • The promotion of scientific focus areas (including, but not limited to) on quantum computing (hardware/software) as well as quantum sensors
  • Accompanying scientific activities, such as a thematic journal club and an annual retreat with the working group leaders (principal investigators)
  • Financial support for participation in conferences/workshops 
  • Retreats for students

The Individual Training Offer Includes

  • Individual, certified coaching that enables you to set the right course for your personal future.
  • Co-financing of further training measures, e.g. Micro-Master of Business Administration
  • Seminars to enhance your own soft skills
  • Mentoring program: A mentor outside the implementing institution (preferably from industry) accompanies you during your doctoral studies
  • Training in basic quantum technologies – organized as journal clubs, seminar series and company contacts

Internships and Research Stays on the Topic of Quantum Technologies

You are studying for a bachelor's or master's degree, or are in the phase before your doctorate and already have basic knowledge of quantum computing or quantum technologies and want to deepen it? Then apply to us for an internship or a stay in research practice. Take the chance for an intensive science experience at one of the four top science and research institutes from the project QUIP.

We especially encourage students from outside Rhineland-Palatinate or from abroad to apply. 

The start date of the stay is flexible and spans over one to six months. The individual research groups of the participating institutes will determine the research topics together with you. They cover various areas of quantum computing, quantum sensing or theoretical methods.  

Summer Schools – Two Weeks of Intensive Program

In addition, we regularly organize summer and/or winter schools in the project. The »schools« take place for two weeks each and teach scientific, but also social skills according to a structured curriculum. Anticipated topics here are also quantum computing and quantum sensing.  

The summer schools offer doctoral students in particular a platform for intensive exchange. They particularly address doctoral students who are in the first phase of their project. International junior researchers are also explicitly welcome here! The lectures will be held by experts of the initiative, but also external, renowned scientists are on the planned program.

More detailed information will follow shortly.

Our Project Partners

  • Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU)
  • Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU)
  • German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)
     

Project Funding and Duration

The project is designed for two years and runs from 01.12.2022 to 31.12.2024. It is funded by the Ministry of Science and Health (MWG) of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Locations of the Partner Institutes on a Map
© Fraunhofer ITWM
Locations of the Partner Institutes