What does a career in quantum computing look like?

Have you considered what a career as a quantum engineer could look like? Are you looking to side step from a current role in tech? Or maybe you’re taking the next leap of specialism in your studies and wondering if quantum is the route for you? Hearing stories from the people who have been there, done that can provide some insight into your decision making. 

We caught up with Stasja Stanisic, Senior Quantum Engineer at Phasecraft to chat about her journey into quantum, why she loves the field so much and what a regular working day is like in the world of quantum.

Phasecraft is a Quantum Algorithms startup, based in both Bristol and London and founded by University of Bristol and University College London alumni, “We’re interested in developing quantum algorithms that deliver useful applications of quantum computers sooner,” Stasja tells us. But she didn’t land this role fresh out of studying. 

As she was coming to the end of her PhD, which was done through the Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training (QECDT) at the University of Bristol, Stasja was on the lookout for an industrial role in the field of quantum. Whilst stepping out of the academic sphere, Stasja decided to attend a quantum career fair at the Bristol Quantum Information Technologies (BQIT) conference in 2018, “It was likely one of the first of its kind in the UK,” she tells us.

“Working in quantum technology is incredibly interdisciplinary, spanning a variety of problems from understanding physical reality, to solving genuinely interesting engineering challenges, and full of rich theoretical complexities”

“I found a few possible opportunities I was interested in there, and also had a few promising conversations with companies through people I have met during the PhD; however, none of these matched both of my criteria of being in the field of quantum computing and also located in Bristol.”

Determined to wait for the right opportunity, Stasja delayed her job hunt and went on maternity leave, “which is against the advice given of having something exciting waiting for you before you start your leave.” And this decision wholly paid off.

“Serendipitously, a few months into the leave I had a conversation with our CEO Ashley Montanaro (also a Professor of Quantum Computation at the University of Bristol), who was just starting Phasecraft up, with our other two founders,” Stasja explains. “Phasecraft was looking to hire a couple of full-time members of staff, one in Bristol and one in London, right in the time period that I was considering finishing my leave and thesis, so I took the Bristol job as it was a perfect match for me.”

As the sector has grown significantly in the last five to ten years, the landscape of starting a career in quantum looks a little different now. Traditionally, networking and word-of-mouth were highly important when searching for jobs, but as investment increases and appetite for quantum technologies expands, there are more roles emerging. 

However, Stasja highlights that “it is still much easier to find specific positions you are interested in by first working or studying within the field, taking on internships, attending and presenting at some of the big, quantum-focused conferences such as QIP, QCTiP, TQC, or if you are looking for something more local, BQIT.”

 “A couple of years back, we completed a major experiment on one of the best quantum chips available at the time, Google Sycamore”

Stasja started her career in a different sub sector: “I have a BS in Computer Science from California Institute of Technology… After finishing, I moved to Bristol and worked as a software engineer for a networking startup called Gnodal.

“My first true exposure to quantum physics and quantum information was through a class I took at Caltech which was taught by John Preskill, one of the leading scientists in the field. At the time I was really intrigued by that class, and the feeling of wanting to know more stayed with me for a while, so when I realised the field I was working in as a software engineer was not a fit for me, this is what I cycled back to. 

“A new CDT for Quantum Engineering opened in Bristol in 2014 and I was lucky enough to get a space in the inaugural cohort. I find that working in quantum technology is incredibly interdisciplinary, spanning a variety of problems from understanding physical reality, to solving genuinely interesting engineering challenges, and full of rich theoretical complexities, which for me personally, ticks a lot of boxes.”

In true startup style, Stasja says her role encompasses a few different hats: “Some of the time I might be focusing more on the software side of things, such as coding up or running new experiments or algorithms, or thinking about the architecture of various parts of our software ecosystem. 

“Other times I am more focused on the research aspects, like reading new research or interpreting old research, thinking of new ways to approach or solve a problem, or perhaps discussing research with other people to uncover the next best steps to take.”

To illustrate the types of projects Phasecraft embark on, Stasja tells us, “A couple of years back, we completed a major experiment on one of the best quantum chips available at the time, Google Sycamore.”

“I would try to make the most out of any and all internships and projects that I have time and energy for”

She was able to see it go from the initial idea, through to the experiment proposal, to being run on hardware, “All of this is taking place whilst overcoming various engineering challenges when the reality is not as straightforward as you simulated it to be. 

“We then finally had an output that was not the ideal data we wanted to collect, but it was still filled with markers of features we’d hoped to see. We are still finding that data useful for new experiments and ideas we are working on now. If we were to run the same experiments today though, it would take us a fraction of the time as we now know more about the algorithm and the system we are running it on. 

“I think this paints a pretty accurate picture of the work involved in quantum algorithms today from conception to a concrete meaningful result. At the same time, this experiment would not have even been possible 10 years ago as the hardware didn’t exist yet, and it will be fascinating to see how much this will change again in the next 5 to 10 years.”

As a result of quantum earning a key presence in commercial technology, entry requirements have relaxed. However, Stasja outlines that, “a solid background in applied mathematics, linear algebra, understanding of computational principles, and some exposure to quantum information can get you quite far. Those are the core skills that you’d have to have.”

Other skills you may want to consider focusing on include: “parallel computing, understanding of underlying physics or simulations of materials or chemistry, programming and working with devices which have limited computational resources (e.g. FPGA programming), deep understanding of classical algorithms especially if you’re interested in algorithms development are also worth highlighting if applying for a job. If you are looking for additional skills to hone, experience in quantum computing would be the best possible skill upgrade though,” says Stasja.

If you’re looking to level up into quantum, Stasja underscores that “the relevance of real experience can trump most other things, so I would try to make the most out of any and all internships and projects that I have time and energy for.

“It will teach you new things, much more in-depth than it is possible to do in class or homework; it will expose you to real setups companies use and care about, which is not necessarily anything like the idealised setting you get in a course; it will almost certainly teach you new tools and tricks of the trade; and it will give your potential future employers a demonstration of your capabilities.”