Ohio State Launches Center for Quantum Information Science and Engineering

Ohio State University is launching the Center for Quantum Information Science and Engineering, which is expected to harness quantum mechanics to “transform communications, computation and sensing,” as well as propel Ohio State’s position as a leading force in the quantum information field.

The university is looking to recruit faculty members for the new venture, including an interdisciplinary search for two positions across five departments encompassing physics, chemistry, computer science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering and materials science and engineering.

Ohio State has been increasingly turning to the quantum information field, with the university joining the Chicago Quantum Exchange, a growing hub for research and development into quantum technology, and establishing its quantum curriculum Quantum Information Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (QuSTEAM) last year.

QuSTEAM brings together scientists and educators from more than 20 universities, national laboratories and community colleges, and has more than 14 industrial partners, including GE Research, Honda and JPMorgan Chase.

“QuSTEAM is a great example of how universities and industry can work together to build the foundation for a strong, diverse workforce,” said David Awschalom, director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange. “Innovations in this field require us to provide broadly accessible quantum education, and QuSTEAM represents an ambitious approach to training in quantum engineering.”

The QuSTEAM initiative was awarded $5 million last year from the National Science Foundation as part of its Convergence Accelerator program to develop a “quantum-ready” workforce. Work is already underway at the newly launched center to develop training programs and short courses to train researchers in the field and create seed funding to support interdisciplinary quantum research.

“By increasing collaboration among our best minds in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, computer science and engineering, we can solve complex, societal challenges through advancing quantum science,” said center co-director Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin.

“From sensors to communications, to computing and simulation, advances in quantum information are laying the foundation for a paradigm shift bridging much of modern science and technology,” said fellow co-director Ronald Reano. “We’re excited to have this opportunity to establish Ohio State as a leader in this area and help create a quantum-literate workforce that advances with the technologies.”

CQISE will also be working alongside other “quantum adjacent” institutes at the university in its research activities, including the Institute for Materials Research, Translational Data Analytics Institute, Center for Emergent Materials and Institute for Optical Science.