August 5, 2024 -- The Quantum Software Lab (QSL) is delighted to intensify its relationship with Xanadu Quantum Technologies to develop new quantum computing educational resources, explore collaborative research, and support students in the recently announced Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Informatics (QI CDT) funded by UK Government's Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council.

A recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) affirms that QSL will offer Xanadu's PennyLane software to its students, including 75+ PhD students in the new QI CDT. The QI CDT provides advanced training in the structure, behaviour, and interaction of quantum hardware, software, and applications. The training programme spans computer sciences, mathematics, physics, and engineering, and will enable the use of quantum technology in a way that is integrable, interoperable, and impactful, rather than developing the hardware itself.

The QI CDT offers a fully funded intensive 4-year training and research programme that equips students with the skills needed to tackle the research challenges of quantum informatics. The programme includes bespoke training by the National Quantum Computing Centre, and the opportunity to work with over 30 industry partners. Graduates will be able to integrate quantum hardware with high-performance computing, design effective quantum software, and apply this in a societally meaningful way.

Dr Chris Heunen, Professor of Quantum Programming and Director of the QI CDT said: 'We are delighted to sign this new Memorandum of Understanding with Xanadu to support the next generation of quantum software talent trained by the QI CDT. Pennylane is an open-source software framework for quantum machine learning, quantum chemistry, and quantum computing, able to run on all hardware. Leveraging existing tools such as Pennylane will equip our graduates with industry ready expertise and give them experience of interfacing with global quantum industry partners such as Xanadu