As one of the designated spokespersons for ML4Q’s next funding phase, Alex shares behind-the-scenes insights into managing this large-scale effort — just days before the final decision in May 2025.
We also explore his enduring fascination with foundational concepts in physics, spanning quantum field theory, quantum chaos, and topological matter. Alongside his research, Alex reflects on the importance of conceptual clarity in teaching, textbook writing, and his path from chemistry (and a brief detour into business consulting) to becoming a deeply theoretical physicist.
Listen to the full podcast episode with Alex here or using your podcatcher.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:32 Mentors and idols in early career
00:03:07 On being a conceptual physicist
00:06:56 On becoming a professor
00:12:20 First thoughts on quantum information theory
00:15:07 Quantum information theory vs. condensed matter physics
00:17:42 On the impact of quantum computation in physical sciences
00:22:49 On the structure of Clusters of Excellence
00:25:23 New projects within ML4Q – the transmon story
00:31:21 Working on the renewal proposal of ML4Q
00:42:45 On writing a textbook on Condensed Matter Quantum Field Theory
00:49:32 What about universality?
00:53:50 Discussing non-standard symmetry and ongoing Majorana research
01:02:26 On teaching mathematics
While recording, Alex Jahn – who is not only a talented web designer and a great podcast editor but obviously a gifted illustrator – made this drawing of the recording session:
Previous ML4Q&A episodes:
Gláucia Murta guest on ML4Q&A in latest podcast episode
In this episode Chris talks to Gláucia Murta, a postdoc in ML4Q, who won the cluster's Young Investigator Award. They talk about Gláucia’s passion for fundamental questions, device independence and a great outreach project, the podcast O Q Quantico she...
New podcast episode with Julian Schmitt
In the podcast's last episode in 2023, Chris talks to ML4Q member, Julian Schmitt, leader of the junior research group “Quantum fluids of light” at the University of Bonn. Julian recently received an ERC Starting Grant, the ML4Q Independence Grant. In 2022 he...
ML4Q&A with Steven Koester – listen to our first external guest from the Global Quantum Leap program!
We are excited to have our first external guest on the show. Steven Koester, Professor of Nanotechnology in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota, is joining us mainly as the Director of the Global Quantum Leap...
Erwann Bocquillon speaks on ML4Q&A
One central milestone in the cluster's mission is the attraction of excellent young talents in the highly dynamic field of quantum computing. This was achieved in the last few years by the establishment of several professorships at all cluster sites. Newly...
Insightful conversation with David DiVincenzo in ML4Q&A’s latest episode – tune in now!
In our latest episode, we are thrilled to talk to David DiVincenzo, Director of the Institute of Theoretical Nanoelectronics at Forschungszentrum Jülich & co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Information which is a joint institute of RWTH Aachen and the...
Tune in for our new podcast episode on quantum chemistry – with Christian Gogolin and Gian-Luca Anselmetti
We continue our new season by featuring members of the cluster who are working at the intersection with other stakeholders in the larger quantum community. In this episode, we talk to Christian Gogolin and Gian Anselmetti who are in-house scientists at Covestro and...