June 19, 2025 -- World-renowned quantum information theorist Professor Stephen Bartlett has taken up the role of Senior Advisor in Quantum Architectures with Diraq, providing the company with high-level strategic and technical direction in the crucial areas of quantum error correction and fault-tolerant architecture design.

Bartlett is a recognised thought leader in the international quantum information community. He is the Director of Sydney Nano and is a board member of Quantum Australia, having led the bid for this national body and served as its inaugural executive director. Stephen has also served as a board member of the Sydney Quantum Academy since its establishment in 2018 and is Lead Editor of the respected American Physical Society journal PRX Quantum.  

Bartlett will undertake his new role at Diraq in parallel with his substantive role as director of Sydney Nano and professor of physics at the University of Sydney, and he will continue to serve in his existing national leadership roles.

Bartlett is a recognised world leader in quantum error analysis, quantum error correction and quantum resource estimation. His addition to the Diraq team further elevates the technical expertise within the company, in particular strengthening capabilities in the core areas related to fault-tolerant quantum computing and scalable architectures.

His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company, after being awarded a Stage A contract by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for its landmark Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI).  

"Stephen’s vast experience and innovative research in quantum information science will be a key asset as we optimise the designs for Diraq’s utility-scale quantum computers," said  CEO and Founder Andrew Dzurak.  

He adds, "Stephen is a leading researcher who is highly respected around the world, with a breadth of experience in both fundamental and applied research in quantum information theory.  His leadership and deep knowledge along with commercialisation skills will further enable the successful execution of key milestones in Diraq’s technical roadmap”.

In accepting the appointment, Bartlett said, "I'm excited to be joining Diraq at this key juncture, and look forward to bringing my experience to support deeper research and development and to drive further advancements in Diraq’s spin-based quantum processor chip technology. Diraq’s technology has significant advantages in terms of lower energy consumption, lower capital and operational costs, and a smaller footprint than competing technologies.”

"Quantum technology has huge potential to translate into meaningful benefits for society and I’m looking forward to working with the outstanding team of experts at Diraq to help realise the potential of their unique technology," Bartlett said.