Author: dabacon

Quantum computing continues to grow in Canada. Congrats to the IQC at the University of Waterloo who now, truly are the center of the quantum computing universe:

With matching funds from the province of Ontario and RIM founder Mike Lazaridis, University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing will receive $150 million to build a research facility and attract talent
Canada will become home to the largest concentration of quantum computing talent in the world, thanks to $150 million in funding from government and the founder of Research In Motion Ltd.
The 2009 federal budget plan released this week reveals a $50 million grant to the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at University of Waterloo in Ontario as an investment in knowledge infrastructure that will help reach the government’s science and technology strategy goals.
“What the federal government is proposing is very visionary,” said IQC director Raymond Laflamme. “It’s really thinking about not only things of today and tomorrow, but the long-term sustainability of the country…I’m very impressed that the Government of Prime Minister Harper has decided to invest in this area.”
With another $50-million contribution from the Government of Ontario plus $50 million in private funding from Research in Motion founder Mike Lazaridis, IQC plans to move ahead in becoming the largest quantum computing institute in the world.

Somedays I like to imagine something like this could happen in the United States, but it’s at that point that I usually realize I’ve been using my whiteboard markers too much in an airtight room.

Founded in 2002, IQC began with five researchers from the UW Faculties of Science and Mathematics, two postdoctoral fellows and five graduate students. IQC’s numbers have grown to 17 faculty members and roughly 100 researchers, 20 post-docs and 65 students today.
IQC plans to double these numbers, said Laflamme. “If you want to compete with the best in the world, you can’t sit still and look at them to pass you. We want to be way ahead so anyone at IQC who’s tempted by other places like MIT or Caltech or Cambridge will say, ‘No, we want to stay here because this is the Mecca for quantum information in the world,'” he said.

Undergrad program which looks cool:

IQC will be hosting an Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing (USEQIP) from June 1st to 12th, 2009 and we would like to ask you if you could share the information below with potential students in your department.
This two-week program on the theory and experimental study of quantum information processors is aimed primarily at students just completing their junior year (third year of undergraduate studies). The program is designed to introduce students to the field of quantum information processing and allow to have hands experience in the lab in this field. The lectures are geared to students of engineering, physics, chemistry and math, though all interested students are invited to apply. Space is limited. If you know of any students who would benefit from this type of school, please point them to the following url where they will find more information and registration details: http://www.iqc.ca/conferences/useqip/

I know you’re not paying attention the talk. So why not go to the FriendFeed room located here. Once sQuinT starts, I hope to live blog there and could use some help (Thursday evening.)

Charles passes along that Booz Allen Hamilton is looking for a few good quantum people:

JOB POSITION IN QUANTUM PHYSICS IN ARLINGTON, VA – BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON, INC.
As you may already know from interacting with us at review meetings and conferences, our team at Booz Allen Hamilton provides scientific and technical expertise to a variety of government agencies. As consultants, we work with our clients to develop new research programs, monitor ongoing research, and to help transition technologies to other government agencies and industry.
Currently, we are looking to expand our physics team to meet the growing needs of our clients. To this end, we are actively searching for graduate students and postdocs, particularly those with a background in quantum science (information, computing, many-body physics, condensed matter/solid-state physics, quantum optics, degenerate gases, precision clocks, etc.), however we are searching in other areas as well.
A detailed description of the job is provided below. In addition, we will be attending the American Physical Society 2009 March Meeting Job Fair on March 16 – 17. Interested attendees are encouraged to get in touch with us at our booth to discuss employment opportunities, share their resume and/or interview. (If you will be at the March Meeting please email me directly to set up an interview or for more information: tahan_charles [[[[at]]]] bah.com )
– Charles Tahan
Science & Technology Consultant Position Description:
Serve as a strategic consultant to government science and technology research and development clients. Contribute to DoD investment in advancing the state of the art in a wide range of physical sciences-based technologies by combining strategic planning and technical analysis. Assist clients with developing and researching ideas for the formulation of new programs. Provide in-depth expertise in the assessment of proposals to determine the technical merit of proposal objectives and methodologies. Conduct background research and interface with the research community at large to evaluate the feasibility of new technological concepts and shape research program goals. Assist with the management of high-risk research programs. Generate and present comprehensive technical briefings, technical papers, and strategic recommendations to colleagues and clients. Perform and publish original technical analysis in support of client needs.
Basic Qualifications: PhD degree in quantum physics (condensed matter, AMO, quantum information, or related area) with demonstrated expertise in a technical area; Ability to commute to Arlington, VA; Ability to obtain a security clearance
Additional Qualifications: Ability to convey complex technical insights to specialist and generalist audiences; Ability to apply expertise across a wide variety of technical problems; Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills
Clearance: Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Please submit cover letter and CV electronically to tahan_charles [[[[at]]]] bah.com .

Those who wish for more contact info for Charles can send me an email (dabacon [[[[at]]]] gmail.com).