Why Become a Quantum Engineering Trainee?
  • Perform interdisciplinary research at a top-rated engineering school
  • Work with award-winning and innovative faculty who are dedicated mentors
  • Be part of a select group of talented graduate students in an inclusive and supportive environment
  • Complete a QISE (Quantum Information Science and Engineering) portfolio program
  • Personalize your career development and post-graduation goals
  • Gain real-world experience by participating in an internship
  • Be part of a program that fosters cross-pollination for innovative ideas and solutions
Financial Support
MS and PhD students will be considered for financial support:
  • One-year competitive fellowships that provide funding (tuition, fees, medical insurance, and $36K stipend) each year (1) are available to qualified domestic (U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents) students (2). Please see the Application section on this page to learn more and to apply.
  • Graduate research assistantships provided by faculty mentors
  • Other funding opportunities are available through individual departments

(1) The $36K stipend amount is the minimum for a 12-month appointment; the appointment and stipend may be distributed over multiple years per NSF.
(2) International students can be trainees and fully participate in any NRT program elements (e.g., courses, workshops, and internships). However, NRT stipends plus customary costs of education for stipend-supported trainees are restricted to U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents.

Continuing Improvement

To ensure the success of the Quantum Engineering Fellowship program and overall student experience, assessment and evaluation will be regularly conducted by a team from Colorado State University.

The design of the assessment and evaluation is both formative and summative. It is formative in that it provides ongoing, timely feedback about strategies and outcomes that Fellows/Trainees, project staff, and participating universities can use to make improvements.

Requirements
Fellows
  • Complete all requirements of their degree program
  • Complete the core required courses for either
    • the Quantum Technology program at SJSU or
    • the Quantum Engineering program at Mines plus Advanced Scientific Communication (HASS 523)
  • Participate in the annual NRT research workshop in addition to topical NRT-coordinated workshops in areas such as DI&A, professional development, quantum technologies, etc.
  • Thesis topic or Culminating Experience (e.g., internship with NRT partner) is approved by the NRT Research Working Group as being quantum or quantum-adjacent
Associates satisfy any three of the four requirements above, including the requirements of their degree program.
NRT-Funded Students are:
  • selected by the Research Working Group to receive one year of funding (tuition, fees, stipend, health insurance)
  • required to satisfy all of the requirements for Fellows listed above
  • encouraged to participate in Student Leadership Council
Program
CORE COURSES
  • Fundamentals of Quantum Information PHGN519
  • Quantum Many-Body Physics PHGN545
  • Microelectronics Processing Lab PHGN535 or Low Temperature Microwave Measurements for Quantum Engineering PHGN532 or Quantum Programming CSCI581
  • Advanced Scientific Communication HASS523
  • Introduction to Research Ethics SYGN502
  • Quantum Engineering Graduate Seminar (take for credit or audit)
ELECTIVES

Comprehensive Quantum Engineering electives list available at quantum.mines.edu/program

CULMINATING EXPERIENCE

Research and Thesis (9 credits)

PROGRAM SUMMARY
  • MS Thesis
    • 30 credits
    • 9 research credits
  • PhD (Quantum Enginering minor)
    • 72 credits
    • ~40 research credits (department dependent)
    • ~12-24 elective course credits (department dependent of which 12 must be from the core courses listed above).
 
Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, trainees will

  • demonstrate familiarity with multiple applications of quantum information and phenomena to practical applications
  • demonstrate competence in the use of experimental (e.g., cryogenics, micro/nanoelectronic fabrication, low-noise microwave measurements) and/or computational tools (e.g., quantum programming), critical to modern quantum-based technologies
  • demonstrate an awareness of scientific and engineering ethics
  • demonstrate competence in scientific communication and teamwork
Application
Applicant must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at Mines to be eligible for funding.
NRT Fellows can be NRT-funded or non-NRT funded. Both NRT-funded and non-NRT-funded Fellows are prestigious positions:
  • Recognized as a Fellow by the NSF
  • Have the same expectations and qualify to participate in all aspects of the program.
  • Both are eligible for departmental support from their home program in lieu of NRT funding.
To qualify for the NRT-funded ‘NRT Fellow’ track, the following criteria must be met:
  • An Application must be submitted.
  • Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
  • Applicant must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at Mines.
  • Applicant must intend to work on a collaborative research project (defined as having 2 or more PIs).
  • The research project must be in quantum information or adjacent area.
  • Applicant must have a GPA of at least 3.0 if a student at an institution that grades based on a 4.0 GPA scale.
Applicants selected by the Research Group receive one year of funding which includes tuition, fees, medical insurance, and a $36K stipend.
The application is currently closed. For NRT-funded fellow positions, the application deadlines are:
Spring admission: October 15.
Fall admission: February 15.

One of the goals of the Quantum Engineering NRT is to support diversity among researchers in quantum engineering. We welcome all interested students into the traineeship and particularly encourage women, underrepresented minorities, veterans, and those with disabilities.

Additional information:
  • To find potential mentors/projects, please visit our Quantum Engineering Faculty Page or Research Projects page.
  • While NRT funding periods are for one year, trainees, NRT-funded of not, may remain in the program for as long as it takes to fulfill the requirements of the NRT.
 
Contact

For more information about this program, please contact the NRT Project Coordinator.