Inside Industry Hiring: The skills that set quantum PhDs apart

PhD candidates from across Sydney Quantum Academy's (SQA) research community gathered recently for a lively panel discussion to demystify what truly matters when transitioning from a PhD and into the growing quantum workforce.

Featuring leading figures from across academia, startups and industry, the insightful session provided a practical overview of the specific attributes employers look for when recruiting for a range of technical quantum roles. It also explored the transferrable ‘soft’ skills that remain in-demand regardless of the specific quantum career pathway.

The expert panel was run as an exclusive networking opportunity as part of SQA’s PhD Experience Program, with candidates from across SQA’s four partner universities attending as part of their enrichment experiences in the coveted program.

In the session titled ‘Skills in Industry: What are employers really looking for?’, SQA Student Committee Chair Rebecca Radebold (University of Sydney) interviewed the following panellists to explore their insights on the things employers notice first:

Beyond academia and its traditional metrics – papers, journals and conference presentations – all the panellists agreed that non-traditional indicators are becoming increasingly relevant for quantum PhD candidates seeking an entry into industry.

This includes both the ability to articulate and defend new ideas, proof of cross-disciplinary collaboration, as well as the clarity of a candidate’s communication skills. 

The session also considered the opportunities PhD candidates should explore to help round out their skillsets beyond purely technical expertise, such as lab experience or coding fundamentals. Internships, postdocs, and collaborative projects were all highlighted as powerful ways to build these complementary skills.

A resounding takeaway from the discussion – from both a research and non-technical perspective – was the importance for candidates to demonstrate adaptability in their thinking, with a PhD showcasing how candidates can make connections between new information to find creative solutions to problems.

Panel Chair Rebecca Radebold said the key takeaway for her was the importance of one key factor: people.

“Employers want to choose someone they know will fit into the group dynamic and with whom they know they can work well and effectively,” she said.

“This means cultivating relationships early on and sustaining them throughout the PhD and will make the job search much easier.”

As global competition for quantum talent intensifies, it is becoming increasingly essential for PhD candidates to communicate the value they bring explicitly and to showcase this self-awareness with confidence both in their interviews as well as in the narrative they share via a CV.     

For those looking to enter Australia's flourishing quantum ecosystem, SQA is proud to present the Quantum Future Talent 2026 Careers Fair next week – representing Australia’s largest event dedicated to quantum career pathways.

This event gives attendees the chance to connect with more than 30 exhibitors across industry, academia and employers to gain real-world insights into quantum career pathways, from quantum computing, photonics, sensing, communication, superconducting technologies and more.

Following a sold-out event last year, the event also features a series of keynote and panel sessions with leading voices across Australia’s quantum ecosystem, to empower aspiring quantum specialists with an understanding of the job-ready skills needed to thrive. Register now for more details on how to take part.