DONEGAL native, John McLaughlin has been selected to coordinate QUESTING, a €4 million Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network that will train the next generation of quantum internet experts.
Mr McLaughlin who is now living in Waterford is the technical lead in Walton Institute at South East Technological University (SETU).
The project brings together nine European universities and 13 industry partners to address one of the continent’s most pressing technology challenges.
QUESTING is the first doctoral network to tackle the complete lifecycle of distributed quantum networks. Over the coming years, it will train 15 fully-funded PhD candidates as “Q-System Innovators” – specialists with rare interdisciplinary expertise spanning quantum technology, communications, computing, and social sciences.
The project addresses a critical skills shortage. Quantum networks promise to revolutionise secure communications and distributed computing, but Europe requires a trained workforce to design, manage, and operate these systems at scale.
Mr McLaughlin outlined the impact this project will have on placing Waterford and Ireland at the heart of Europe’s quantum future.
“From right here in the south east, QUESTING will help Europe build the first generation of ‘quantum internet’ experts.
“We’re training 15 PhD researchers who will learn not just the theory, but how to turn quantum ideas into real networks, real jobs and real impact for Ireland and Europe,” he said.
The work addresses what researchers call the “fertile nexus” where quantum and classical computing meet. Rather than treating quantum networks in isolation, QUESTING takes a holistic approach, integrating expertise from quantum physics, complex systems theory, information engineering, and even humanities disciplines to consider ethical and societal implications.
Applications for the 15 funded PhD positions are now open.
Contact Dr Indrakshi Dey, Principal Investigator of QUESTING at Walton Institute on Indrakshi.Dey @waltoninstitute.ie for details.
