The UTS Centre for Quantum Software and Information and Sydney Quantum Academy are seeking talented and enthusiastic students to help contribute to Sydney’s quantum technology ecosystem.
Research by SQA PhD student Ritika Bazzad focuses on nanomaterials. Ritika works with the Quantum Materials and Photonics Team, based in the UTS Faculty of Science. Photo: Sydney Quantum Academy
See our SQA PhD research projects on offer at the Centre for Quantum Software and Information
Looking for a PhD in Quantum Technologies?
TO APPLY:
1. Confirm the type of SQA PhD scholarship you wish to apply for.
2. See the Quantum research opportunities on offer and visit Undertake a PhD in Quantum Computing at UTS QSI to find a project that suits your interests and potential supervisors. Or see the full list of SQA research projects.
3. Review the SQA scholarships eligibility requirements (scroll down to 'Application details' under 'Am I eligible?') and see the University PhD Entry Requirements of the SQA partnering university of your choice.
4. Find a potential supervisor at the UTS Centre for Quantum Software and Information, with a research area compatible with your project proposal. Or see the full list of or any of the other SQA partnering universities.
5. Apply for admission to a PhD program at the university where your supervisor is based. Ensure to check deadlines and requirements for applications.
6. Apply for the SQA PhD Scholarship: Sydney Quantum Academy PhD Scholarships (Round 11) . Ensure to read the SQA PhD Scholarships - Conditions of Award and prepare your application as outlined by the SQA PhD Scholarship Application Guidelines. Then complete your SQA PhD Scholarships online. Applications open Wednesday 28 August and close Wednesday 9 October, 2024. Apply via the SQA website here.
7. Your proposed supervisor will submit an online Supervisor's Endorsement Form once your application has been processed. Only your proposed supervisor can complete the online endorsement.
Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) PhD Scholarships provide a competitive stipend of up to AU$37,684 per annum, entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program, access to career development funding, and other benefits.
Undertake research with world-leading quantum experts at SQA’s partner universities: University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, UNSW Sydney, and the University of Sydney.
Network with the brightest minds in quantum research and enjoy career development opportunities within academia and related industries.
ROUND 12 APPLICATIONS OPEN Wednesday 16 April, 2025
APPLICATION CLOSE Wednesday 14 May, 2025
Apply here via SQA PhD Scholarships.
QUESTIONS:
Visit www.sydneyquantum.org
Contact SQA: +61 2 8011 3812 | info@sydneyquantum.org
UPDATES:
Join SQA's mailing list for news and upcoming events
If you wish to apply for the non-stipend SQA PhD Experience Scholarship only, please use this form instead.
QUICK LINKS
1. SQA Scholarship Types
2. Undertake a PhD in Quantum Computing at UTS QSI
3. SQA Eligibility & University PhD Entry Requirements
4. Finding a UTS Supervisor at QSI
5. Apply for Admission to a PhD Program at UTS
6. Apply for the SQA PhD Scholarship
7. Supervisor’s Endorsement
8. SQA Assessment Process
9. SQA Partners
1. SQA Scholarship Types
The streams of SQA PhD Scholarships are as follows:
SQA Primary Scholarship
- A stipend worth AU$37,684 per annum (pro rata) for the period of the recipient’s PhD candidature, for a maximum of 4 years (full-time equivalent).
- International tuition fees waived for international recipients. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.
- Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program. Completion of the program is required.
- Access to SQA career development funding.
SQA Supplementary Scholarship
- A stipend top-up worth the difference of the recipient’s primary PhD stipend and the SQA Primary Scholarship (pro-rata and adjusted annually) for the period of their primary PhD stipend.
- A stipend extension will be applied at the end of your primary PhD stipend, taking your
total candidature to a maximum of 4 years. The funding amount provided will be the
SQA rate at that time and will be at least equivalent to the University stipend rate. - International tuition fees waived or covered for international recipients for any period not covered by their primary PhD stipend scholarship. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.
- Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program. Completion of the program is required.
- Access to SQA career development funding.
SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship
- This Scholarship is a stipend extension that will be applied at the end of your primary
PhD stipend, taking your total candidature to a maximum of 4 years. The funding
amount provided will be the SQA rate at that time and will be at least equivalent to the
University stipend rate. - International tuition fees waived or covered for international recipients for any period not covered by their primary PhD stipend scholarship. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.
- Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program. Completion of the program is required.
- Access to SQA career development funding.
You do not need to elect which scholarship stream you are applying for - SQA will review your eligibility for each stream during the selection process. In the event you are unsuccessful for a stipend scholarship, you can be considered for an SQA PhD Experience Scholarship (non-stipend).
SQA PhD Experience Scholarship (non-stipend)
- Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program.
The Next Generation Graduates Program Scholarship
- Awardees will receive a stipend of $41,650 (increased by 2% indexation from 1 July 2024 and each following financial year).
- Travel Allowance $5,000; Training Allowance $15,000; ($5,000 pa for 3 years); Thesis Allowance $840.
- Awardees will be required to satisfactorily complete a CSIRO Next Generation Graduates Program coursework module.
- Awardees will be required to complete a 6-month industry experience
- Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program.
2. Undertake a PhD in Quantum Technologies at UTS QSI
VISIT: QUANTUM RESEARCH PROJECTS OFFER AT UTS
The Centre for Quantum Software and Information (QSI) at UTS occupies a unique position in Sydney and Australia’s quantum technology ecosystem, with a core focus on the computer science and information processing aspects of quantum technologies.
Researchers from QSI work with a worldwide network of collaborators in industry and academia to pursue projects covering all facets of the quantum computing stack, from hardware development and quantum control systems to quantum programming environments and application development.
While QSI is Australia’s largest research Centre in quantum computing theory, it also has a team of hardware and experimental researchers specialising in the development of quantum technologies using superconducting qubits.
QSI's Key Research Programs
- Quantum algorithms and complexity
- Quantum programming theory
- Fault tolerant architecture design
- Quantum control and characterisation
- Quantum experiments and hardware
WATCH: Why did I choose to study quantum technology? PhD student, Fabio Henriques, from the UTS Centre for Quantum Software and Information explains
3. SQA Eligibility and University PhD Entry Requirements
SQA ELIGIBILITY
Scholarship applications are open to:
- Australian citizens
- Permanent residents of Australia
- International applicants
PhD projects must be in a field related to quantum technology. Search the Sydney Quantum Experts directory for potential supervisors or collaborators.
Please note you will not be offered an SQA PhD scholarship unless you have a PhD offer of admission from the partnering university of your proposed supervisor. Find out how to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney.
All scholarship holders are expected to successfully pass the SQA PhD Experience Program as complementary educational coursework to their research training, as outlined in the SQA PhD Scholarship Conditions of Award.
UNIVERSITY PHD ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
SQA scholarship applicants must be enrolled in (or have an unconditional offer of) a full-time PhD program in a field related to quantum technology at one of the four SQA founding universities.
Each university also has its own HDR supervisor search portals:
Applications with joint institutional supervision and an element of (potential) industry engagement are strongly encouraged. SQA also encourages applications from women, Indigenous Australians, applicants with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and from those who identify as LGBTIQ and welcomes applicants to include this information in their application.
See How to Apply for a Quantum PhD in Sydney by SQA for full details.
ELIGIBILITY TO YOUR UNIVERSITY OF CHOICE
- Applicants will be subject to the policies and terms and conditions of the university where the student is enrolled, or wishes to enrol.
- For University of Technology Sydney applicants, see entry requirements under 'Postgraduate research degrees'.
Note: External applicants of the SQA program, must also apply for entry into the PhD program at their selected university.
For the Next Generation Graduates Program Scholarship:
- Scholarships are available to domestic students only (Australian citizens and permanent residents)
- You are expected to apply for or be enrolled in a full-time PhD program at one of the participating SQA partner universities.
- You must have the support of the project supervisor before submitting your application. Please refer to the list of projects and supervisors associated with this scholarship for more details.
- Meet the requirements for CSIRO student affiliate onboarding where applicable. (e.g. satisfy National Police check)
4. Finding a UTS Supervisor at QSI
PhD candidates must have the endorsement of an academic staff member at one of the partner universities. To all of the current projects with the Centre for Quantum Software and Information (QSI), please see the list of UTS-SQA supervisors.
If you are unsure which academic or research program best suits your interests, please contact cqsiadmin@uts.edu.au to request further information. Or refer to the Research Projects on Offer to assist with your application.
Once you have a potential supervisor in mind, you need to send an email to ask if they would be interested in supervising you. Include the following in your email:
- Brief introduction of yourself
- Copy of your CV
- Copy of your draft research proposal
- Copies of your academic transcripts
- Two referees who are familiar with you and who have closely supervised your research or studies.
Please ensure to send your email request to your proposed supervisor with plenty of time (at least a month) before the university application deadline.
IF YOUR PROPOSED SUPERVISOR APPROVES YOUR REQUEST
- Let your supervisor know that you applied for the SQA scholarship.
- When you submit your application, an email will be sent to your proposed supervisor for them to complete an online supervisor's endorsement form. To receive an endorsement, you need to have previously communicated with your proposed supervisor, and they must have agreed to supervise you.
- Liaise with your supervisor to ensure the SQA online endorsement form is completed by them, before the due date.
5. Apply for Admission to a PhD Program at UTS
SQA applicants with a potential supervisor based at the UTS Centre for Quantum Software and Information will need to apply to enrol in a UTS doctoral research degree program (four years full-time).
Course name 33874 PhD Thesis: Software Engineering
Course code: UTS C02029
Before you apply to UTS
- Check the Doctor of Philosophy admission requirements and course completion requirements
- Refer to application deadlines for domestic and international students and important academic dates.
- Provide evidence of your English language proficiency according to the UTS entry requirements.
- Prepare scanned certified copies of academic transcripts, certificates and other relevant qualifications
- Write your research proposal, using the UTS guidelines for writing a research proposal.
- Use the UTS CV template (see 'Requirements for all students') to prepare your CV/resume.
At UTS, you can apply to start your research degree in the Spring or Autumn session of each year. Please note that the Autumn session commences in January, and the Spring session commences in July. See application deadlines for domestic and international students.
Applying for a PhD at UTS
Follow the steps outlined in application essentials to apply for a PhD at UTS, then lodge your application online.
For all UTS application and enrolment enquiries, please contact the Graduate Research School.
6. Apply for the SQA PhD Scholarship
- Read the SQA PhD Scholarships - Conditions of Award.
- Ensure to prepare your CV, project proposal, academic transcripts and other relevant documentation, as outlined in the SQA PhD Scholarship Application Guidelines.
- Complete the SQA PhD Scholarships (Round 9) online application form to apply for an SQA Primary PhD Scholarship.
- For all SQA PhD Scholarship enquiries, please contact the Sydney Quantum Academy.
PhD Experience Program Scholarship (non-stipend)
- The application process for the PhD Experience Scholarship does not require supporting documentation. In the application form you will be asked for details about yourself and your PhD - including a brief description of your research project/area (max 200 words).
- You will also need the support of your supervisor, and they will asked to endorse your application once completed.
Next Generation Graduates Program
7. Supervisor’s Endorsement
Your nominated supervisor will be sent a copy of your application and a link to an online supervisor endorsement form.
The online supervisor endorsement form must include the following details:
- The applicant has contacted their nominated supervisor to discuss their application and project proposal
- The nominated supervisor has contacted the applicant's referees
- The nominated supervisor has read the applicant's project proposal
- The nominated supervisor has commented on the applicant's academic merit and research potential
- The nominated supervisor endorses the applicant's project proposal and SQA PhD scholarship application.
8. SQA Assessment Process
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Candidate experience including academic merit, experience in quantum technology and / or any professional expertise
- Quality of the proposed project including relevance to quantum technology and / or alignment to the research strengths of the proposed partner institution
- Alignment of the application to SQA objectives including industry engagement, cross-institutional supervision and / or the potential to contribute to the growth of Sydney’s quantum ecosystem.
Consideration will also be given to supervisor capacity, diversity of applicants and the diversity of the proposed supervisors (early to mid-career supervisors and supervisors who identify as women).
The SQA encourages applications from women, Indigenous Australians, applicants with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and from those who identify as LGBTIQ and welcomes applicants to include this information as part of their applications.
Applications will be assessed by researchers and academics within the four partner universities through a competitive assessment process. You should ensure that all information conveyed in your application can be understood by someone within and outside your sub-discipline.
For the Next Generation Graduates Program, there may be additional criteria. More information on this will be provided when the application round opens.
9. SQA Partners
All SQA programs are funded by Sydney Quantum Academy, an unincorporated joint venture in partnership between the University of Technology Sydney (Centre for Quantum Software and Information), University of Sydney, University of NSW, and Macquarie University, and is generously supported by the New South Wales Government, Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.