The NQCC hosts a range of early career opportunities for students looking to pursue a career in quantum computing. To learn more about their experiences, we got in touch with the 2024 summer placement cohort to reflect on their time at the NQCC and provide some tips for our new 2025 summer placement students.
Student Profiles:
Suhani Verma worked in our Events and Communications Team to support various initiatives, including the NQCC’s UK Quantum Hackathon.
Deborah Moses Alabi worked in our Quantum Computing in Society Team, exploring responsible and ethical quantum computing.
Aaditya Deshmukh worked in our Trapped Ion Quantum Computing Team to develop a simulation toolkit for a linear Paul trap.
Can you tell us a bit about your placement?
Suhani: “I worked as an events coordinator intern in the communications team at the National Quantum Computing Centre. The NQCC hosts various events as part of its user engagement initiative, SparQ, where a majority of my work was focused. My summer placement lasted 12 weeks, during which I honed my skills in event organization, management, and promotion under the expert guidance of the communication department. This experience was invaluable to my professional growth. The most significant event I am grateful to have worked on during my placement was the UK Quantum Hackathon 2024, a major annual event organized by NQCC. Participating in this event allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience in the preparation leading up to it and during the event’s three days.”
Deborah: “I worked on researching how quantum computing could be operationalised ethically and responsibly. I explored best practices for putting responsible innovation into practise, building on existing work in AI, with financial services as a case study.”
Aaditya: “This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to join the trapped ions team at the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). Over the course of 12 weeks, I dived hands-on into the practical side of quantum computing and was quickly immersed in cutting-edge research, where I had the privilege of working with a talented and supportive team. It was a highly exciting and rewarding experience where I learned so much – not just technically, but personally too!”
Why did you choose to do this placement with the NQCC?
Suhani: “I am currently pursuing a degree in Media and Communication at the University of Leicester and have had previous experience in event management. Therefore, I was actively seeking internships in the media and events sector, and this placement aligned perfectly with my career aspirations and the experience I was looking to gain.”
Deborah: “I wanted to deepen my understanding of quantum computing and explore its various potential applications.”
Aaditya: “I’ve always been fascinated by emerging technologies, and quantum computing is right at the forefront of innovation. The NQCC stood out as the perfect place to gain practical experience in this rapidly developing field through its position as a centralised government research facility. I was drawn to the organisation’s mission of advancing quantum technologies, and the chance to work alongside world-class researchers and academics was a truly invaluable opportunity.
The application process was straightforward and engaging for anyone passionate about science. It involved submitting a CV and a brief cover letter, followed by an interview day, which even included a tour of the facilities. More than anything, it was an opportunity to talk about my academic background, explore interesting aspects of quantum computing, and share my enthusiasm with leading experts in the field.”
What project(s) have you been working on?
Suhani: “As an events assistant, my primary focus when I started the placement was assisting with the upcoming UK Quantum Hackathon 2024. Consequently, my responsibilities included undertaking various small projects related to the event. These tasks included creating a promotional video for the hackathon, designing its banner, preparing presentation slides, devising a live posting strategy during the hackathon for NQCC’s social media. Post-event, I was tasked with creating a highlights video for the Hackathon for NQCC’s social media platforms. Throughout my placement, one of the most substantial projects I worked on was creating a comprehensive database of potential event venues for NQCC’s various events across the UK. Additionally, I had the opportunity to develop the NQCC Hub site for the staff under the guidance of the Office Manager.”
Deborah: “I took a deep look into the ethics and different frameworks used to operationalise responsible innovation in AI. I took the lessons I learned and applied them to quantum computing. As a case study, I also researched key considerations for responsible and ethical quantum computing in the financial services sector, and explored key considerations for this approach.”
Aaditya: “During my time at the NQCC, I focused primarily on developing a Python-based simulation toolkit for the electrodynamic control, manipulation, and confinement of qubits in a linear Paul trap. This is an essential component of trapped ion quantum computing hardware and required a strong grasp of the underlying electrodynamic principles, as well as practical insights. I successfully designed and refined algorithms that enabled the splitting and merging of ion chains – a key step toward scalable quantum computing architecture.
Beyond my main project, I had the chance to collaborate with others on their work, contributing to various ongoing research efforts across the team. This gave me a broader perspective on the different aspects of quantum computing and helped me to develop a versatile skillset. The experience of having ownership of a project, solving complex challenges on a daily basis, and exploring uncharted territories, made the experience immensely fulfilling”
What have you learned during your placement?
Suhani: “During my placement, I had the invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in a professional and corporate environment, a significant milestone as this was my first job. Throughout this experience, I gained a deep understanding of corporate communication. This has honed my communication skills and instilled in me the importance of clarity and professionalism in all interactions. I also developed strong management skills, including event and work management.
Moreover, I gained valuable project management skills through workshops specifically held for placement students. In these workshops, I learned to oversee projects from inception to completion, balancing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations. I also gained hands-on experience with a slight mock project we placement students set up. There were also workshops for us to learn and gain experience with our presentation skills, allowing me to deliver clear, impactful presentations that resonate with diverse audiences. Additionally, while working on the hub site, I enhanced my SharePoint skills, proficiently managing and sharing resources in a collaborative work environment.
Moving forward, I plan to leverage these skills in my career by continually building on this foundation of knowledge and experience. I aim to apply my enhanced communication, management, and creative skills to future roles, contributing effectively to any team I join.”
Deborah: “I want to pursue a career in technology in the future. This placement has provided me with insights into the importance of understanding the implications of technology on its stakeholders. I have reviewed various cases where AI has adversely affected individuals, highlighting the importance of fairness and impartiality in the deployment of emerging technologies through their development processes. Additionally, my time here has allowed me to develop my analytical, research and communications skills.”
Aaditya: “Throughout the placement, I gained a deeper understanding of the principles behind trapped ion quantum computing, as well as the real-world challenges of implementing these systems. I learned how to approach complex scientific problems with a structured yet creative mindset, balancing theoretical insights with hands-on experimentation.
Beyond the technical side, I became quickly familiar with working in a cutting-edge lab environment, adapting to new methodologies, and contributing to the highly collaborative nature of quantum computing research. This gave me a better appreciation of how breakthrough technologies come to life!”
What advice do you have for others looking to do a placement at the NQCC?
Suhani: “A placement at the NQCC is a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. You’ll work on innovative projects alongside leading experts, gaining valuable insights. To make the most of it, be proactive, take initiative, and explore areas of interest. Engage with the collaborative nature of the work, communicate effectively, and learn from others. Use resources, tools, workshops, and mentorship to enhance your skills. With curiosity and a positive attitude, this placement can significantly enrich your career development.”
Deborah: “Be yourself, don’t be afraid to ask questions and engage with as many people as you can.”
Aaditya: “If you’re passionate about quantum computing and eager to work at the forefront of this cutting-edge field, I couldn’t recommend an internship at the NQCC enough! Approach the application process with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, and no doubt you will be rewarded. The interview itself is as much about showcasing your passion as it is about demonstrating your technical knowledge.
Once in the placement, seize every opportunity—whether it’s collaborating with researchers, engaging with different projects, or refining your skills. The NQCC is a fantastic environment to grow both technically and personally, so make the most of every experience it offers!”