The Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST) invites applications for its Sparking Programme, offering scholarships for outstanding Master’s students working on quantum-related thesis projects within IQST research groups. The application deadline is 15 April 2026.
The programme aims to connect talented students with cutting-edge quantum research at an early stage, supporting Master’s thesis projects carried out under the supervision of an IQST Fellow. In addition to academic excellence, IQST places strong emphasis on diversity, equality, and internationalisation, and explicitly encourages applications from underrepresented groups in quantum science and technology.
Scholarships are granted for up to 12 months during the Master’s thesis, with additional support available for participation in IQST activities. Applicants must be enrolled in a relevant MSc programme, have secured supervision by an IQST Fellow, and submit a joint application including a letter of support.
Join IQST and take your first step into the world of quantum research—apply now and become part of a vibrant and international community shaping the future of quantum technologies!
The IQST Retreat 2026 brings together PhD students and early-career researchers from across the IQST network for three days of scientific exchange, networking, and professional development. The program combines research and tutorial talks, poster sessions, and interactive workshops, providing opportunities for participants to present their work and engage with peers from different institutions.
The retreat will take place at Schloss Reisensburg near Günzburg.
To facilitate travel, a bus transfer will be organized from Stuttgart with a stop in Ulm. Participants can join the bus at either location. Detailed travel information will be shared with registered participants.
Please note that the program below is preliminary and may be adjusted as further details are confirmed.
Preliminary Program
Monday — 11 May 2026
09:00: Bus departure from Uni Stuttgart (Campus Vaihingen) 10:00: Bus stop at Uni Ulm (Meyerhofstraße — ZQB) 11:00: Arrival at Schloss Reisensburg 11:00 – 12:30: Check-in and Welcome Coffee 12:30 – 14:00: Lunch 14:00 – 15:00:Research Talk: Jasmin Meinecke (Technical University Berlin) 15:00 – 16:00: Contributed Talks – (tbc) 16:00 – 16:30: Coffee break 16:30 – 18:30: Contributed Talks – (tbc) 18:30 – 19:00: Discussion 19:00 – 20:30: Dinner 20:30 – 22:00:Poster Session – Group I
08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast 09:00 – 11:00:Tutorial Talk: Gláucia Murta (Vienna University of Technology) 11:00 – 11:30: Coffee break 11:30 – 12:30:Workshop: Mia-Celine Zsohár (Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Science, University of Stuttgart) – Your Path from PhD to Innovator (Part I) 12:30 – 13:30: Lunch 13:30 – 15:30:Workshop: Mia-Celine Zsohár (Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Science, University of Stuttgart) – Your Path from PhD to Innovator (Part II) 16:00: Bus departure from Reisensburg 17:00: Bus stop at Uni Ulm (Meyerhofstraße — ZQB) 18:00: Arrival at Uni Stuttgart (Campus Vaihingen)
Participation is free of charge but spots are limited, so we encourage early registration.
Join Us in Freiburg: Registration Open for the Next Early-Career Training Event
20 April 2026 @ Fraunhofer IAF
The IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW is pleased to invite young researchers from across the IQST community and the Baden-Württemberg quantum ecosystem to the next event in our Early-Career Training series: IQST Visit @Fraunhofer IAF.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about ongoing research activities at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF. The program also includes guided laboratory tours and time for informal discussion and networking.
Preliminary program
11:00 – Arrival and registration
11:10 – 11:30 – Welcome note — Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Quay
11:30 – 13:00 – Talks and Q&A
Talk: Quantum Systems Engineering for Diamond-Based Quantum Computing – Dr. Rebekka Eberle
Talk: Pulse-sequence optimization for efficient quantum optimal control – Dr. Walter Hahn
Talk: Chemical vapor deposition of diamond for quantum applications – Dr. Philipp Schätzle
13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch break and networking
14:00 – 16:00 – Lab tours and presentations
Quantum Computing Lab Tour – Annarita Ricci
Diamond Growth Lab Tour – Dr. Philipp Schätzle
Live demonstration: Pac Man meets Quantum Machine Learning – Michael Krebsbach
This is a preliminary program and will be updated as further details are confirmed.
These early-career training activities are offered by the IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW, funded by the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg.
On 23 February 2026, the IQST community gathered at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) for IQST Day 2026. Hosted in the Gaede Lecture Hall, the event brought together more than 200 participants from across academia and the broader quantum ecosystem for a full day of scientific exchange, discussion, and networking.
The day began with welcome remarks by IQST Directors Stefanie Barz and Fedor Jelezko, joined by Ina Schaefer, Vice Provost Research at KIT. In their opening addresses, they emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the growing strength of the quantum landscape in Baden-Württemberg and beyond.
The scientific program featured an outstanding lineup of internationally renowned invited speakers. Costanza Toninelli (INO-CNR / LENS, Italy) opened the first session with insights into quantum interfaces based on single molecules, followed by Julian Schmitt (Heidelberg University, Germany), who explored new frontiers in quantum matter made of light.
In the second session, Ian Walmsley (University of Oxford, United Kingdom) presented perspectives on shaping the quantum future, before Carsten Rockstuhl (KIT) delivered an IQST Fellow talk on designed and inversely designed quantum nanophotonic systems.
After lunch and the first poster interactions, the afternoon continued with Klaus Blaum (Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, Germany), who discussed advances in quantum metrology using Penning traps, and Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop (University of Queensland, Australia), who showcased optically controlled quantum sensors.
The final session highlighted further IQST Fellow contributions: Alexander Kühne (Ulm University), Patrick Emonts (Ulm University), and Julian Berberich (University of Stuttgart) presented their latest research spanning molecular quantum applications, tensor networks, and quantum algorithms.
A group picture during the afternoon coffee break captured the strong sense of community before the event concluded with an extended poster session and networking reception. The poster session once again proved to be a central element of IQST Day, fostering lively discussions between senior researchers, fellows, doctoral candidates, and industry representatives.
IQST Day 2026 marked the first time that KIT hosted this flagship IQST event, underlining the growing collaboration within the network and the shared commitment to advancing quantum science and technology through interdisciplinary exchange.
We thank all speakers, fellows, contributors, and participants for making IQST Day 2026 a dynamic and inspiring success.
Opening remarks by the IQST Directors, marking the start of IQST Day 2026 at KIT.
Ina Schaefer, Vice Provost Research at KIT, addressing the audience at IQST Day 2026.
Costanza Toninelli opening the scientific program of IQST Day 2026 with her invited talk.
Coffee break conversations fostering exchange across institutions and disciplines.
Ian Walmsley opening Session 2 with his invited lecture.
Carsten Rockstuhl presenting his work on quantum nanophotonic systems.
Lively exchange during the lunch break and poster session.
Klaus Blaum presenting during Session 3 of IQST Day 2026.
Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop sharing insights on optically controlled quantum sensors.
Conversations and new connections during the second coffee break.
IQST Fellow Alexander Kühne contributing to Session 4 at IQST Day 2026.
IQST Fellow talk by Patrick Emonts.
Julian Berberich presenting his research during the final session of the day.
A buzzing poster session and networking reception to conclude IQST Day 2026.
We are pleased to invite you to the next IQST Seminar,
given by Dr. Soo-hyon Phark.
Dr. Phark (Center for Quantum Nanoscience, Institute for Basic Science, Korea) will present recent advances in atomically engineered spin qubit platforms based on STM-ESR techniques.
Single- and Two-Qubit Quantum Gates to Bottom-up Crafted Spin Qubits
Date: Monday, 02 March 2026 Time: 14:00 – 15:00 Location: University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, Room 6.141
We are pleased to invite you to the next IQST Seminar,
given by Prof. Yasunobu Nakamura, on recent advances in
superconducting quantum computing.
In his talk, Prof. Nakamura will discuss progress toward scalable, fast,
and high-fidelity control and readout of superconducting qubits — key
technologies on the path to fault-tolerant quantum computing.
High-fidelity control and readout of superconducting qubits
Inside the Lab: IQST Early-Career Training Visit @Heidelberg
As part of the Early-Career Training Activities supported by the
IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW, the IQST Visit @Heidelberg
brought students and early-career researchers to the European Institute for
Neuromorphic Computing (EINC) for an afternoon of scientific exchange, hands-on
training, and networking.
The visit opened with a series of scientific talks highlighting current research
and innovation at the interface of quantum photonics and technology. Contributions
included a presentation on fiber-to-chip interconnects and reconfigurable photonic
circuits by J. Brandes, insights into superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors
and their applications by S. Ferrari, and a startup-focused talk by R. Bankwitz from
Linq Photonics, offering perspectives on the transition from academic
research to entrepreneurship.
A central element of the visit was the Pernice Lab tour, during which
participants rotated through five hands-on stations featuring live demonstrators.
These covered integrated photonic device characterization, fiber tapering using a
hydrogen flame, characterization setups for superconducting films and SNSPDs, active
fiber-to-chip alignment using a Fineplacer system, and a convolution-based neuromorphic
edge detection system. The interactive format enabled direct exchange with researchers
and provided valuable insights into experimental techniques and infrastructures.
The visit concluded with informal networking over refreshments, fostering discussions
across disciplines and institutions.
IQST warmly thanks the Pernice Lab and the entire hosting team in
Heidelberg for their openness, excellent organization, and commitment to early-career
training.
Join Us in Heidelberg: Registration Open for the Next Early-Career Training Event
The IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW is pleased to invite young researchers from across the IQST community to the next event in our Early-Career Training series: IQST Visit @Heidelberg.
This afternoon program offers exclusive insights into cutting-edge quantum photonics research, innovative startup activities, and hands-on laboratory demonstrations.
Date: 30.01.2026 Location: European Institute for Neuromorphic Computing (EINC), Im Neuenheimer Feld 225a, 69120 Heidelberg
Program 13:30 – 14:00 Welcome and registration 14:00 – 14:20 Fiber-to-chip interconnects and reconfigurable photonic circuits using two-photon polymerization technology (J. Brandes) 14:20 – 14:40 Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: applications and artifacts (S. Ferrari) 14:40 – 15:00 Linq Photonics – Technology & startup presentation (R. Bankwitz, J. Römer) 15:00 – 17:00 Pernice Lab tour with hands-on session and demonstrators 17:00 Pizza & networking
These early-career training activities are offered by the IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW, funded by the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg.
IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW: Three Days of Science, Skills, and Industry Insights
The IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW successfully ran a three-day program from 1–3 December 2025, bringing together its first international cohort of doctoral researchers, academic supervisors from across Baden-Württemberg, and representatives from the regional quantum industry. The event gathered participants from six countries across four continents and showcased strong links between academic research and local industry.
Day 1 – Project Presentations and Scientific Exchange
The meeting opened with welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Barz, Director of IQST, and continued with a full day of scientific exchange. Academic supervisors from five Baden-Württemberg universities — University of Stuttgart, Ulm University, Heidelberg University, University of Tübingen and University of Freiburg — presented the newly funded Graduate School projects.
A highlight of the day was the tutorial talk by Dr. Susanne Baumann (University of Stuttgart), titled “Controlling Individual Magnetic Spins on the Atomic Scale.” Project presentations by the academic supervisors were followed by a lively poster session, where PhD students presented their research plans, early results and internship timelines and engaged directly with supervisors and industry guests. Representatives from ten industry partners — active across the Baden-Württemberg quantum ecosystem and hosting student internships — also participated in the day’s discussions.
Day 2 – Early Career Training: Scientific Presentations Workshop
Day 2 launched the Graduate School’s Early Career Training series (open to IQST students and early career researchers across the region) with an interactive workshop led by Prof. Dr. Matt Carter (Williams College): “Scientific Presentations: How to Optimize Posters and Talks.”
Core principles of effective scientific communication
Crafting a compelling narrative
Designing clear, impactful visual slides
Presenting with confidence
Poster formats and practical alternatives
Participants worked through practical exercises, received peer feedback, and refined their presentation and poster skills in hands-on sessions.
Day 3 – Industry Visit: Swabian Instruments
The final day featured a visit to Swabian Instruments in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. The program included a company presentation and an introduction to time-tagging technology, followed by a networking lunch with company staff where students and employees exchanged views on careers and industry transitions. The visit continued with a guided tour of R&D and production areas and concluded with a practical, hands-on session using the Time Tagger API.
Thanks & Next Steps
We warmly thank all students, supervisors, speakers and industry partners for their contributions to a successful kickoff program. The IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW is funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts of Baden-Württemberg (MWK) via QuantumBW. Stay tuned for further training activities and collaborative events across the IQST network.
We are happy to announce IQST Day 2026, taking place on 23 February 2026 at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). We look forward to inspiring talks, scientific exchange, and lively poster sessions.
You’ll find the preliminary schedule below — this page will be updated regularly.
09:30 – 09:45: Event Kick-Off : Stefanie Barz, Fedor Jelezko (IQST Directors) and Ina Schaefer (Vice Provost Research, KIT)
Session 1 — Chair: Stefanie Barz
09:45 – 10:30: Invited talk (40+5): Costanza Toninelli (INO-CNR, LENS, Italy) — Quantum Interfaces with Single Molecules
10:30 – 11:15: Invited talk (40+5): Julian Schmitt (Heidelberg University, Germany) — Quantum Matter Made of Light: Unlocking Fundamentals and Technology
11:15 – 11:45: Coffee Break
Session 2 — Chair: David Hunger
11:45 – 12:30: Invited talk (40+5): Ian Walmsley (University of Oxford, United Kingdom) — Lighting the Quantum Future
12:30 – 13:00: IQST talk (25+5): Carsten Rockstuhl (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany) — Designed and Inversely Designed Quantum Nanophotonic Systems
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch break and posters
Session 3 — Chair: Tilman Pfau
14:00 – 14:45: Invited talk (40+5): Klaus Blaum (Max Planck Institute for Nuclear
Physics, Germany) — Trapped and Measured: Quantum Metrology in a Penning Trap
14:45 – 15:30: Invited talk (40+5): Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop (University of Queensland, Australia) — Catch, Move and Twist Using Optically Controlled Quantum Sensors
15:30 – 16:00: Group Picture and Coffee Break
Session 4 — Chair: Fedor Jelezko
16:00 – 16:30: IQST talk (25+5): Alexander Kühne (Ulm University, Germany) — How to Achieve High Luminescence in Organic (Di)-Radicals for Molecular Quantum Applications
16:30 – 17:00: IQST talk (25+5): Patrick Emonts (Ulm University, Germany) — Enhanced Adiabatic State Preparation for Tensor Networks
17:00 – 17:30: IQST talk (25+5): Julian Berberich (University of Stuttgart, Germany) — Robustness of Quantum Algorithms
17:30 – 19:30: Poster session and Networking (Refreshments)
Registrations are now closed. If you would still like to attend the IQST Day 2026, please get in touch with us directly at the following email address: office@iqst.org
