A quantum computer processor is glowing green.
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45 new jobs at Ireland’s first Quantum Computer Engineering Centre

14 May 2021

The country’s first dedicated centre for quantum computer engineering is on its way to Cork – and it’s looking for researchers.

Ireland’s first dedicated Quantum Computer Engineering Centre (QCEC) is coming to Tyndall National Institute. The news was announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, TD, yesterday evening (13 May) at a special launch event.

Establishing the QCEC will see a multimillion-euro investment in 900 sq m of research space. It will be based at Tyndall’s new facility on Cork’s North Mall and is part of the institute’s plans to double in size and impact by 2025.

Speaking at the event, Harris said: “Tyndall QCEC will not only focus on the realisation of quantum technology in Ireland, but it will also upskill Irish researchers in the area of quantum and will support open innovation and collaboration between academia and industry. This will transform our high-tech economy and secure Ireland’s future as a worldwide technology leader, while supporting key Irish technology companies and SMEs.”

Harris added that the QCEC would also “ultimately lead to the creation and retention of high-quality, sustainable ICT jobs”. These will include 45 quantum research jobs.

As part of this development, Tyndall will recruit five new senior research leaders, including a head of quantum research to lead the QCEC.

Until now, Tyndall’s core research has been in quantum cryptography and sources of quantum light. Its current work focuses on deep-tech photonics and nanoelectronics.

The new centre, according to Tyndall CEO Prof William Scanlon, will help “accelerate the development of quantum research in Ireland” for global issues such as food security, energy and the climate crisis.

Scanlon said: “Tyndall never stops looking ahead. Our pioneering embrace of next-generation technology has already profoundly impacted the semiconductor industry, high-speed optical communications networks, medical devices and many other areas based on nanotechnology, microelectronics and photonics research.

“The next great leap in technology is quantum computing, which will have a huge impact on the future of the ICT industry and across many application areas. We are not on the cusp, but already in the process of the quantum revolution.

“We have the people, the technology enablers and the industry partners to spearhead Ireland’s place in delivering the impact of the quantum revolution.

“Today we are developing the theories and computational models of tomorrow, producing the materials, engineering the devices and building applications to enable our quantum future.”

You can learn more about careers in quantum computer engineering and other research areas at Tyndall here.

In other quantum computing news this week, Irish company Equal1 has made a major breakthrough in scalability for the industry. The UCD spin-out is the first company to demonstrate a fully integrated quantum processing unit operating at 3.7 Kelvin.

Lisa Ardill
By Lisa Ardill

Lisa Ardill joined Silicon Republic as senior careers reporter in July 2019. She has a BA in neuroscience and a master’s degree in science communication. She is also a semi-published poet and a big fan of doggos. Lisa briefly served as Careers Editor at Silicon Republic before leaving the company in June 2021.

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