Quantum Jobs: The Skills Needed Beyond Physics
Quantum jobs aren’t just for Physicists; here’s what’s really needed. According to Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of the QED-C®, it’s difficult to predict all the future uses of quantum technologies, not only quantum computers, but also quantum sensors, networks, and communication.
What’s clear, she explained, is that these fields will require a wide range of skills, and right now there’s a shortage of qualified people to meet the demand.
She noted that the skills needed fall into three main categories:
- Hardware – hands-on lab work, building and testing components.
- Software – coding, algorithms, and system design.
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Business & Communication – marketing, sales, and management, especially in startups where founders often lack these skills.
Importantly, Merzbacher highlighted that the most in-demand roles don’t always require a PhD or a degree with “quantum” in the title.
Employers often look for people with strong STEM backgrounds, sometimes at just the bachelor’s or master’s level, and place a high value on practical, hands-on experience.
That’s why she encourages students to seek out internships, summer jobs, or lab opportunities, whether directly related to quantum or not. Even a little hands-on experience, she stressed, can go a long way in preparing for the quantum workforce of the future.
