The lack of available quantum scientists and engineers may be an inhibitor to the growth of the quantum computing ecosystem.
Same old story: AI, as a very nascent industry, has also faced to the same issues for years.
Quantum Computing is definitely an employee’s market now.
There has been a huge increase in the number of positions offered by universities, startups, government agencies and industry. Here at quGeeks we are on the frontline : we have been offered crazy hiring fees for certain specific positions. Startups or industry leaders struggle to hire top quantum computing talents. A well-known startup CEO even told me that closing his Series-B funding deal was easier than hiring its Quantum Applications Team Leader. Stock options and attractive salary packages are flooding…
The first startups or industry labs were built mainly around academic researchers. The offices of the big names companies in Quantum Computing are full of newly born PhDs. But this soon to be mature industry also needs engineers and advanced practitioners.
Currently, most applicants are quantum scientists or engineers. They have been educated as physicists who were involved in quantum technologies during their academical journeys. There are also engineers who learned some physics and some hard coders who learned quantum programming. Universities have just started providing Degrees and Masters in Quantum Computing.
In fact, quantum technologies involve so many different disciplines : optics, photonics, deep physics, cold matter, superconductor, HF, Python programming, chip characterization, cryogenics, dry etching, lithography, digital and analog chip design, etc. Employers expect candidates to master one field as experts and to have a good knowledge of some others fields because all these disciplines are related.
Countries are establishing quantum academy inside their quantum tech initiative to train not just quantum scientists but engineers. Nevertheless it will take time.
Quantum Computing talent shortage is just at its beginning.
Photo Credits: Inside Google Goleta’s quantum computing lab (Courtesy of Google)
