Charting careers in quantum: The Quantum Career Day 2025 in Vienna

The Quantum Career Day 2025 took place on 11 April 2025 at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, organised by Photonics Austria in collaboration with the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ). The event brought together around 170 attendees, including 123 students and young researchers, alongside representatives from quantum technology companies, research institutions, funding agencies and public administration, to explore the growing range of career paths in quantum science and technology.

The day opened with alumni talks from former students now working across industry, applied research and startups, including speakers from AIT, IBM, ParityQC, PoppeQ, Quantum Industries and RECENDT, who shared candid insights into their career transitions and the value of staying curious and adaptable. A career fair followed, with 17 organisations (among them AIT, CANCOM, Erste Group, IBM, TU Wien and xista) hosting booths, complemented by CV-check stations run by edu:connect and the TU Wien Career Center, which supported 37 students with personalised feedback on their applications.

A panel discussion brought together voices from academia, a quantum spin-off, applied research and venture capital to discuss collaboration between research and industry, support for graduates pursuing non-academic paths, and the growing relevance of quantum technologies across sectors such as finance. The day closed with a keynote from Tommaso Calarco (Quantum Flagship) who offered a forward-looking perspective on Europe’s quantum strategy and the importance of maintaining the continent’s competitiveness in the field.

Feedback gave the event an overall rating of 4.0/5, with 79% reporting increased interest in pursuing a career in quantum technologies and photonics, and 73% saying they would recommend the event to a friend or colleague.

The Quantum Career Day underscored the strong demand among students and early-career researchers for structured career guidance connecting academia, industry and government in the quantum field. Organised as part of the 360 CARLA project, the event reaffirmed the value of building community, sharing real career journeys, and creating spaces where the next generation of quantum scientists can connect directly with those who came before them.