Quantum Innovation in Chicago

Home to two Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, two National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, and a growing number of quantum companies, the Midwest region is a leader in the charge to develop innovation quantum technologies and build an elite quantum workforce.

Career Advancement hosts signature quantum programs throughout the year to bring together scientists, engineers, and groundbreaking employers in Chicago’s innovative quantum science landscape.

Chicago Quantum Recruiting Forum

The annual Chicago Quantum Recruiting Forum brings together the rising generation of quantum scientists and engineers. This forum is an outstanding opportunity for students and trainees across the STEM disciplines interested in pursuing quantum information through physics, computing, or engineering to catalyze their careers. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with one another as well as leaders in the field, exploring quantum careers and academic pathways through an experiential immersion in quantum innovation.

Participation is open to all trainees, including university students and postdocs in the Midwest, faculty from the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), university partners, and any companies interested in hiring quantum-trained talent.

The 5th Annual Chicago Quantum Recruiting Forum will be held on April 24th, 2025.

2025 Chicago Quantum Recruiting Forum Schedule

Time

Event

9:30-11:30

Technical Workshops:

Wolfram

IBM (introductory)

1:00 – 1:10 pm

Welcome

David Awschalom, Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering and Vice Dean for Research and Infrastructure, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago

1:10 – 1:55 pm

Panel: Expanding Quantum Careers Beyond the Lab

Quantum technology's success depends on a wide range of professionals in business, policy, community engagement, and governance. This panel features industry leaders who have built careers in quantum companies in non-research roles. They will share insights into the diverse career pathways, the skills needed to thrive, and the impact of non-scientist roles in shaping the quantum ecosystem.

Mo Green – Head of Market Development, Community, and Government Relations, PsiQuantum

Yelissa Lopez – Government & Industry Advocate, QuEra

Michele Lampa – Business Development, Pasqal

Hanhee Paik – Head of IBM Quantum, Japan

Moderator: Aleena Agrawal, Vice President of Talent Solutions, P33

1:55 – 2:40 pm

Panel: Building the Future – Careers in Quantum Startups

The quantum industry is being built from the ground up by innovative startups working on a range of cutting-edge technologies and applications. This panel brings together founders, engineers, and leaders from quantum startups to discuss what it takes to build and support a company in this rapidly evolving field. Panelists will share their experiences launching, scaling, and working in businesses at a range of stages, the skills startups need most, and career paths in this dynamic sector.

Caitlin Carnahan, PhD – VP, Quantum Software, Infleqtion

Shobit Gupta, PhD – Quantum Scientist, MemQ

Moderator: Shyama Majumdar, Interim Executive Director of Deep Tech Ventures at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

2:40 – 3:25 pm

Panel: Quantum in the Fortune 500s – Research, Applications, and Careers

Quantum technologies are being built and used by large companies across a range of sectors. This panel will share insights about the careers available in larger companies.

Agnetta Cleland – Research Scientist, Google Quantum AI

Austin Davis – Integrated Product Team Lead, Boeing

Sarah Chen – Senior Scientist, Abbvie

Moderator: Aaron Kemp – Director, Technology Risk, KPMG

3:30 – 5:30 pm

Career & Resource Fair

AbbVie

Allstate

Applied Materials

Boeing

Collinwood

Corning Optical Communications

EeroQ

Google

Great Lakes Crystal Technologies

HRL Laboratories

IBM Quantum

memQ

Northrop Grumman

PsiQuantum

qBraid

QuantCAD

Quantinuum

Quantum Machines

Rigetti Computing

University of Chicago

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Unisys

Unitary Foundation

(More employers TBA)

QUBIT Early Career Program

Quantum Business, Innovation, and Technology (QUBIT), is a two-year preprofessional program dedicated to supporting undergraduates pursuing careers in the emerging quantum economy. In addition to participating in professional development programming, cohort participants have access to funded research and internship opportunities to help launch successful careers in quantum computing, engineering, R&D, and more.

More information can be found here.

Quantum Employer Spotlight Series

The Quantum Employer Spotlight series provides an opportunity to hear from experts in the quantum industry throughout the year. Academic year ‘24- ‘25 spotlights will include Quantinuum in October 10th, 2024 and Rigetti Computing on November 20th, 2024.

Quantum Partners

Thank you to partners such as Atom Computing, Infleqtion, NanoPattern Technologies, IBM Quantum, ParityQC, JPMorgan Chase, and Quantum Machines, and to the Chicago Quantum Exchange for their support and partnership. If you are company in the quantum space and would like to get involved, please contact Tara Ford at taraford@uchicago.edu.