ERIC Number: EJ1353364
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Nov
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0018-9359
EISSN: EISSN-1557-9638
Assessing the Needs of the Quantum Industry
Hughes, Ciaran; Finke, Doug; German, Dan-Adrian; Merzbacher, Celia; Vora, Patrick M.; Lewandowski, H. J.
IEEE Transactions on Education, v65 n4 p592-601 Nov 2022
Background: Quantum information science and technology (QIST) has progressed significantly in the last decade, such that it is no longer solely in the domain of research labs, but is now beginning to be developed for, and applied in, industrial applications and products. With the emergence of this new quantum industry, a new workforce trained in QIST skills and knowledge is needed. Research Questions: To help support the education and training of this workforce, universities and colleges require knowledge of the type of jobs available for their students and what skills and degrees are most relevant for those new jobs. What are these jobs, skills, and degrees? Methodology: We report on the results from a survey of 57 companies in the quantum industry, with the goal of elucidating the jobs, skills, and degrees that are relevant for this new workforce. Findings: We find a range of job opportunities from highly specific jobs, such as quantum algorithm developer and error correction scientist, to broader jobs categories within the business, software, and hardware sectors. These broader jobs require a range of skills, most of which are not quantum related. Furthermore, except for the highly specific jobs, companies that responded to the survey are looking for a range of degree levels to fill these new positions, from bachelors to masters to Ph.D.s. Contribution: With this knowledge, students, instructors, and university administrators can make informed decisions about how to address the challenge of increasing the future quantum workforce.
Descriptors: Needs Assessment, Educational Policy, Quantum Mechanics, Information Science, Information Technology, Computer Science Education, Labor Force Development, Job Skills, Skill Development, Employment Opportunities, Employer Attitudes, Employment Qualifications, Academic Degrees, Career Choice
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Tel: 732-981-0060; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2578/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=13
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: US Department of Energy, Office of Science; National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Materials Research (DMR); National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (OMA)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: DEAC0207CH11359; DMR1847782; OMA2016244