Undergraduates gain hands-on quantum research experience

Quantum technology can seem abstract; concepts confined to textbooks and lectures. But the Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) Undergraduate Research Scholarship program is giving students from aeronautical engineering to data science hands-on experience in cutting-edge research, working alongside leading scientists on projects that could shape the future of technology. 

Now in its sixth year, and with 28 quantum projects available, the program offers students the chance to explore areas including quantum computing, spin qubits, trapped ions, and quantum optics, gaining experience in coding, data modelling, simulations, algorithm design, device development and experimental techniques. 

“One of the distinctive features of the program is that students can undertake research at any one of SQA’s four partner universities, gaining exposure to a university different from their own,” said SQA Director, Professor Peter Turner.

“Any student that can be in Sydney over the summer break can discover new lab environments, different research cultures, and make connections they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

Experiencing quantum research first-hand 

Students Lani Taylor, Rebecca Lamont and Barbara Ziarnowska worked on a project developing new technologies for scalable quantum computing under the supervision of Dr Maja Cassidy from UNSW Sydney.

“The hands-on aspect drew me to the program,” said Lani. “At UNSW we’d done a few courses but nothing quite as hands on, and in the field as this.” 

Barbara added “There are so many things that I learnt from this experience, not only coding and math, but also the iterative process of research, how to read publications and how to communicate with academics.” 

Students also worked with specialised quantum laboratory equipment. Rebecca highlighted the value of practical exposure to cryogenic systems. “The biggest things I learnt was about the operation of the fridge itself, [to enable] quantum computations and create quantum systems.” 

For Shakti Ananthi, who worked on a project simulating the properties of hole spin qubits supervised by Professor Alexander Hamilton at UNSW Sydney, the experience bridged the gap between theory and practice. “I got to see the actual change it made, and it was very insightful,” she said.

Exploring future career pathways 

Beyond technical skills, the Undergraduate Research Scholarship program gives students their first real glimpse into the world of quantum research, and a stepping stone towards future careers in the field.

Jacob Solsky, a student from the University of Technology Sydney who completed his project at the University of Sydney, said the chance to meet other students outside his home university and “experience another uni and campus life” were key drawcards.

“It also opened my mind to actually working in a quantum lab, as well as maybe doing an Honours or a PhD,” he said.

Daniel Duncan, who worked on project building new custom electronics for quantum control systems under Professor Alexander Hamilton at UNSW Sydney, said the experience confirmed his interest in research. “It was excellent. I got to feel immersed in a research group and it’s really solidified that doing experimental quantum device research is something that I want to continue doing for the foreseeable future.” 

Yohan Bachana, working with Dr Dominic Williamson at the University of Sydney on quantum error correction, found the experience clarified his research direction. “I knew I wanted to do research in physics in a postgraduate setting, this project really helped firm up my desire to do it in theoretical error correction.” 

Celebrating student research 

The latest scholarship round culminated in a showcase event, where students presented their project results.  The evening was supported by KPMG, highlighting the growing industry interest in quantum technologies and the importance of developing future talent.  

“Practical applications are emerging in sensing, computation and security, with a future commercial market for quantum software” said James Mabbot, partner at KPMG Futures.