9 October 2024

Fostering networking opportunities and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration

Last week, MCQST and IMPRS-QST members attended the first joint workshop between renowned research institutions in Munich and the Waterloo region, designed to promote scientific exchange and foster international collaboration. This event, gracefully hosted by Perimeter Institute, focused on quantum simulation, also featured talks on a variety of topics related to quantum science and technology.

Researchers from all career levels—from group leaders to postdoctoral fellows and PhD students—came together to exchange ideas, network, and explore interdisciplinary connections. The workshop started with insightful scientific talks and was enriched by two interactive poster sessions, where participants shared insights into their ongoing research. Open discussions created an engaging platform for exchange. At the same time, lab visits at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and the University of Waterloo offered deeper insight into cutting-edge research in quantum technologies. Throughout the week, participants had many opportunities to connect and collaborate. "The workshop has given me new ideas through numerous discussions with researchers from all participating organisations, which we could try in our lab, sometimes in unexpected ways. It's always exciting to see in how many different ways we can approach a similar problem and how much we can learn from each other." mentioned Kevin Mours, PhD candidate in the division of Quantum Many-Body Physics at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics.

Bridging the gap: Collaboration between academia and industry

The workshop's final day was dedicated to the theme of Quantum Applications & Commercialization, bridging the gap between quantum research and real-world applications. Together with the Centre for Quantum Information and Quantum Control (CQIQC) of University of Toronto and Xanadu, we co-organized an event that shed light on various success stories and perspectives from Canadian and German quantum ecosystems. A panel discussion further explored these topics, giving participants valuable insights into translating scientific research into impactful technologies.

The event concluded with a vibrant networking mixer at Xanadu's headquarters in Toronto, bringing together participants for informal discussions and future collaboration prospects. "For me, the workshop was a great experience, not only to discover new physics but also a new culture, work environment, and people. The visit to Xanadu also gave me new insight on the career opportunities after a PhD." mentioned Daniel Molpeceres, PhD Candidate in the group of Quantum Algorithms and Applications at TUM.

We want to extend our gratitude to everyone involved for making this pioneering collaboration a reality. This project not only strengthened the connection between Waterloo, Toronto, and Munich but also set the stage for future advancements in quantum science.