PhD Programs

Quantum Science and Engineering

The PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering program provides students with the opportunity to study with some of the most prominent researchers working in both fundamental and applied aspects of quantum science. The program encompasses a variety of engineering topics that will help shape the quantum future. This includes quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing, as well as research in quantum materials. Students have the option of working with one or more thesis advisors to build a cross-cutting research project that touches multiple disciplines.

Our graduate students work within a growing nexus of quantum research in Chicago, which includes the Chicago Quantum Exchange, two Department of Energy funded national quantum information science research centers Q-NEXT and SQMS, the NSF QuBBE Quantum Leap Challenge Institute, one of the longest ground-based quantum communication channels in the country, and much more.

Students perform their research in state-of-the-art facilities at both the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory campuses, and have opportunities to gain industry expertise through interactions with UChicago’s Booth School of Business and the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, as well as our industry and corporate partners. More opportunities are available through our robust programs in career development and entrepreneurshipscience communicationmentoring training and opportunities, and educational outreach.

Program overview

Learn more about our curriculum structure, inclusive and student-centered approach to education and research, programs to support career development, and more.

Enroll today

Learn more about the application process.

Meet our students

Aziza Suleymanzade

Aziza, a Josephine de Karman fellow, works on quantum hybrid systems and mm-wave quantum technology, a joint project between Simon Lab and Schuster Lab. Her main project is interconverting and entangling single optical and mm-wave photons using Rydberg atoms as mediators. She also works on mm-wave devices for cavity and circuit-QED systems, developing the mm-wave platform for future quantum computing technology.

Hong Qiao

Hong, an NSF QISE-NET fellow, works in Cleland Group with a collaborator at IBM Research, developing quantum interconnect technologies. He closely collaborates with Clerk Group and Awschalom Group on both theoretical and experimental aspects of quantum information storage, using erbium rare-earth ion-doped crystals with nanophotonic interfaces.

Elena Glen

Elena, a PhD student in Awschalom Group, works in collaboration with both Schuster Lab and High Lab. Access to the Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility has been critical to her work creating microstructures in silicon carbide used to control and manipulate spin defects—atom-like light emitters used for quantum sensing, memory, and communication.