Published: Oct. 23, 2023 By

Scott Davis presents to the Quantum Scholars students

Scott Davis, CEO of Vescent, presents to the Quantum Scholars at CU Boulder

Colorado has been designated as a quantum-focused Tech Hub in a recent announcement by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The designation builds on long-standing partnerships between industry and educational institutions and emphasizes the importance of quantum technology and innovation in Colorado. The Department of Physics at CU Boulder is well poised to continue supporting exceptional quantum innovation and research, developing the next generation of scholars, technicians, and scientists, and partnering with quantum industry leaders. 

The Department of Physics is proud to host internationally leading educational and research programs that contribute to the new Quantum Tech Hub. Collaborations between CU Boulder Physics, JILA, NIST, the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and industry partners support quantum research and innovation – and help develop the next generation of scientific leaders.  

Professor Tobin Munsat, Chair of Physics, remarked “Our highly successful educational and research programs make CU Boulder Physics a foundational hub of quantum. Education is critical for developing the workforce and for expanding quantum research on campus, in federal labs, and in industry. We look forward to building more partnerships and capabilities with the designation of the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub.”  

Many physics faculty conduct world-class quantum research. Four physics faculty have received Nobel Prizes for quantum-related advances. Students from all levels conduct research alongside faculty and at national labs and institutes, contributing to the quantum ecosystem. Several faculty members serve as directors for the CUbit Quantum Initiative. The department also hosts the Center for Experiments on Quantum Materials and the Center for Theory of Quantum Matter, and has close connections with JILA and NIST. 

Physics offers several educational and outreach programs in collaboration with our partners that help foster the quantum workforce: 

  • Quantum Scholars provides scholarships and learning opportunities connecting students with local industry and quantum applications in Colorado. In partnership with the College of Engineering and Applied Science, up to 20 students are named Quantum Fellows, receiving a $2,500 fellowship to participate in the program.   

  • Quantum Forge is an industry-focused, project-based capstone course for advanced undergraduate engineering and physics students. Students complete a project sponsored by an industry partner, gain expertise in industry-relevant skills and build relationships with their sponsoring company. The class is offered in partnership with the workforce development team from Q-SEnSE, an NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute. 

  • The Physics and Quantum Career & Internship Fair is offered by the Department of Physics in partnership with JILA and CUbit. Now in its second year, the career fair connects undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities in industry, national labs, and institutes.  

Professor Noah Finkelstein leads the Quantum Scholars program and sees the breadth of quantum initiatives first-hand. Finkelstein said, “We are pleased to partner with a dozen quantum-focused education programs and will continue to advance our capacities. We are reaching and supporting broader and more diverse audiences, incubating new science and technology, and investing in our collective welfare through the quantum sciences.”