Program Description
The 2024 US Quantum Information Science Summer School (USQIS) is the second joint summer school facilitated by the five US Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Centers (NQISRCs): the Quantum Science Center (QSC), the Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA), Q-NEXT, the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage, and the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center.
Organized by the QSC headquartered at DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and QSA led by DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, this year’s school will be an immersive 12-day learning experience on ORNL’s campus. Attendees will participate in hands-on quantum science and technology activities in a laboratory setting that is home to multiple world-leading facilities. The curriculum will be taught at a graduate level and is open to both members and non-members of the NQISRCs. Undergraduate students in their junior (third) or senior (fourth) year, graduate students, and postdocs and early-career researchers are invited to apply.
Curriculum topics will include:
- Topological approaches to quantum computing
- Cold atoms and ion traps
- Error mitigation and error correction
- The current state of the quantum information science field
- Applications of quantum technologies, quantum materials, and quantum sensing
Deadlines
- Application deadline: March 15, 2024
- Acceptance date: April 14, 2024
- Check into University of Tennessee, Knoxville dorm for badging: July 14, 2024
- Program dates: July 15 – 26, 2024 (12 days)
Eligibility
- Minimum 18 years of age
- The target cohort for this summer school are students or early career professionals at or above a graduate level with backgrounds in quantum science disciplines such as physics and computer science. Eligible candidates range from junior or senior undergraduates to postdoc/early career scientists and/or those working in industry with the appropriate experience.
- We are accepting both US and international students who can obtain the appropriate visa and badge to visit ORNL.
- Only full-time, in-residence summer school participants are eligible
- All summer school admissions are contingent upon DOE site-access approval to ORNL
Attendee Prerequisites
- Prior completion of coursework in the following areas is required: linear algebra, calculus, quantum mechanics
- Prior completion of coursework in the following areas is recommended: quantum information, condensed matter physics, computer science
- A personal laptop is highly recommended for participation
Required Application Materials
The following materials are needed to complete the online application form.
- Name
- Expected academic level or professional appointment in July 2024
- Organizational affiliation
- Technical area of interest
- Brief personal statement of interest
- Updated resume
- Unofficial transcripts
- Emergency contact
- Two reference letters
Speakers and Lecturers
- Nick Bronn (IBM)
- Carleton Coffrin (Los Alamos National Laboratory)
- Jeff Cohn (IBM)
- Eugene Dumitrescu (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- Tali Figueroa (Northwestern University)
- Gabor Halasz (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- Kathleen Hamilton (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- Travis Humble (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- Stephen Jesse (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- Katarzyna Krzyzanowska (Los Alamos National Laboratory)
- An-Ping Li (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- Claire Marvinney (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- Rob Moore (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- Prineha Narang (University of California, Los Angeles)
- Chetan Nayak (Microsoft)
- Bibek Pokharel (IBM)
- Eddie Schoute (Los Alamos National Laboratory)
- Sara Sussman (Fermilab)
- Alan Tennant (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
- Sagar Vijay (University of California, Los Angeles)
- Vivien Zapf (Los Alamos National Laboratory)
Poster Session
- US QIS Summer School attendees will have the option to present their research projects or interests in a student poster session on Wednesday, July 17 from 1:15 to 3:45 p.m.
- All students are encouraged to present a poster, but participation is not required.
- The poster session will provide participants with an additional opportunity to network with peers while learning and sharing insights in the field of quantum science and technology.
- Students are solely responsible for providing their own posters.
- Suggested poster dimensions: 30 x 40 inches
Logistics
- Selected students will be notified by April 14, 2024.
- Attendance is contingent on Department of Energy visitor approval to ORNL.
- Accepted students should monitor email for important messages from USQIS@ornl.gov and hurttl@ornl.gov
- Accepted students will be invited to a virtual meeting on June 27 to discuss logistics
- Accepted students will receive a link requiring a response to help the planning team prepare for arrival/departure, dietary restrictions, rooming assignments, etc.
- Accepted students will receive emails to complete required site access training once badge requests are approved.
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided July 15-19 and July 22-26 (weekdays). Participants will be responsible for all meals on July 20-21 (weekend) and all evening meals.
- There will be no study sessions on July 20-21.
- The summer school will provide room and board to accepted students at a dormitory residence hall at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT).
- Room and board will consist of single occupancy rooms at UT.
- Airline travelers will be responsible for transportation from the airport to the UT residence hall
- Residents will check in on Sunday, July 14 at UT starting at 12:00 p.m.
- Residents will pick up badges at UT from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 14. Non-US citizens must bring immigration documents and passports.
- Residents will check out on Friday, July 26.
- Transportation by bus will be provided each day from the UT residence hall to ORNL and back.
- Students utilizing the provided room and board within the UT residence halls will not be permitted to drive personal vehicles to ORNL’s campus.
- Residents will depart the lab at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26 for the airport (45-minute drive)
- Students with cars will receive a waiver to drive to ORNL’s campus on Friday, July 26
- School participants will be responsible for all other costs, including individual travel expenses to and from the UT residence hall.
- School participants are required to provide their own personal electronic devices for online activities.
- School participants will be permitted to connect their personal electronic devices to the ORNL visitor wireless network. Wifi access will also be provided at the UT residence hall.
- See below for the schedule for Monday, July 15. The full daily agenda will be available soon.
- 7:20 a.m. Load buses for transport (please be prompt)
- 7:30 a.m. Bus departs for Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- 8:30 a.m. Breakfast provided
- 9:00 a.m. Welcome ceremony and introductions
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch provided
- 3:30 p.m. Load buses for return to UT residence hall
- 6:30 p.m. Evening study sessions
FAQs
- Can the quantum mechanics course prerequisite be waived?
- The summer school is geared toward those who have completed at least one upper-level quantum mechanics course or an equivalent level course in quantum computing. This is required due to the advanced topics and technical jargon that will be used during the courses.
- Will applicants with a Bachelor of Science be considered?
- Yes, upper-level undergraduates, post-baccalaureate candidates, and applicants working in industry with a bachelor’s degree in physics or equivalent are eligible to apply.
- Are travel expenses covered?
- Lodging, most meals, and daily transportation to and from ORNL will be provided for individuals accepted to the program.
- School residents are responsible for individual travel expenses from their place of residence to Tennessee.
- Are reference letters also due on March 15?
- Applicants must submit their complete application by the deadline. Reference letters submitted to the correspondence email will be accepted until March 22.
- What if I will require special accommodations to attend?
- Please forward specific inquiries about accommodations to the QSC administrative point of contact.
- Do I need a laptop?
- Yes, school participants are required to provide their own laptops for participating in online activities.
- Participants will also be permitted to connect their personal electronic devices, including mobile phones, to the ORNL visitor wireless network.
- What quantum science technologies will be covered by the school?
- The school curriculum will emphasize multiple disciplines of science, including physics, chemistry, and engineering, that are essential for creating new quantum technologies.
- Lectures will cover quantum algorithms, error mitigation, and error correction, as well as the theory and practice of quantum information and applications of quantum information to science problems ranging from condensed matter to dark matter and nuclear physics.
- Electives will cover quantum programming, neutron scattering, nanotechnology, and the theory of topological approaches to quantum computing, including spin liquids and superconductors.
- Will I stay in the UT dormitory on Sunday, July 14?
- Yes, school participants will be assigned rooms following check in on that day.
- Can I extend my stay at UTK after July 26?
- No, students who wish to stay in Knoxville after the conclusion of the summer school will need to make other lodging arrangements.