Early career support

ML4Q helps to train the next generation of scientists and engineers in quantum technology. The cluster-wide ML4Q Research School builds on the successful existing inter-site structure, the Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy (BCGS), and connects closely to several Collaborative Research Centers (CRC183 and CRC1238) and Research Training Groups (RTG 1995) in Cologne and Aachen. It provides support in training and scientific development to  young researchers from master to postdoctoral level.

ML4Q Undergraduate Research Internship Program

Undergraduate students from Germany and abroad, interested in quantum science and technologies can apply to our Research Internship Program and get a hands-on experience on  research being done in our cluster.

During the 10 -12 weeks summer internship, accepted students will work on selected research project in one of ML4Q groups in Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf or Jülich. In addition by actively participating in the seminars and other ML4Q events at different locations they will have a chance to meet other students and scientist and start to build their professional network. Our internees can also profit from the various offers for students at host universities and thus get an insight into the students’ life in Germany.

Applications Call for Summer 2024 is closed now!

 More information on the internship program can be found here.

ML4Q for Master Students

All sites offer Master programs or new areas of specialization related to quantum information and technology. More information can be found on the respective websites of the partners:

• Master track on Quantum Technology at RWTH Aachen (poster)
• Master program including specialized lectures on quantum technologies at the University of Bonn
• Master specialization on Quantum Information Science and Technology at the University of Cologne
• Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy (BCGS)

Scholarship opportunities:

Quantum Technology Master Track: within the framework of ML4Q, RWTH Aachen University awards full two-year scholarships  to two outstanding students every year. In addition to the coursework of the regular MSc program, Scholarship recipients participate in a part-time internship program in one of the associated groups. More information on the Quantum Technology Master Track and the Scholarship program can be found here.

BCGS: Students interested in joining Master programs in Bonn and Cologne can apply to the BCGS MSc fellowship program. The call for applications for Winter term 2023/24 is closed now.

Shared courses:

Students from all ML4Q partner universities, can profit not only from lectures within their master programe at home university, but can allso attend courses offered at all other ML4Q sites. The list of these shared courses can be found here.

ML4Q Courses

Platforms for Quantum Technologies

This new course taught jointly by lecturers from Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, and Jülich covers the broad range of research within ML4Q. The next course will take place on March 18 – 22, 2024 To find out more please visit the course website.

Intensive weeks

These are topical block courses offered usually during the semester break. During a one week intensive training students get an opportunity to get a first hand insight into the current research related to quantum technologies and information.

ML4Q Certificate

Master students interested in quantum technologies, after fulfilling the requirements listed below, can be granted a ML4Q Certificate. This document, signed by all universities and partner institutions will document students’ commitment to quantum information and  technologies topics.

• Attendance of Platforms for Quantum Technologies Course
• Attendance of one of the ML4Q Intensive Weeks
• Attendance of one of the courses listed here
• Master Thesis in one of the ML4Q groups

If you have any questions to the certificate, please contact ML4Q Research School Coordinator

Training in Transferable Skills

All three universities have an excellent offer on training in transferable skills open to all ML4Q PhD students and postdocs. ML4Q associated members can participate in programs offered by Albertus Magnus Centre in Cologne, (AMC)  Bonn Graduate Centre  (BGC) and the Center for Doctoral Studies (CDS) at RWTH Aachen, independently of their affiliation. Here you can find infomation about the courses  for PhD students in Cologne, Bonn and Aachen. Programs for postdocs can be found at AMC and BGC websites. If you are interested in attending a course offered by the university you are not affiliated to, please contact the research school coordinator first.

The already existing programs are complemented by courses organised by the Research School itself, in collaboration with BCGS and CDC. The upcomng course are announced per email. The PhD students are also encouraged to participate in the ML4Q courses (e.g. Intensive Weeks), workshops and seminars.

Networking & Career Planning

4tudents and postdocs in the ML4Q cluster are not only distributed over different locations, but also work on very diverse research questions. Thus, we plan various activities to bring them together and provide an opportunity to get familiar with different topics represented in the cluster. One of them is a ‘PhD & Postdocs Retreat’. During this event, organised by young researchers, students and postdocs have a chance to get to know each other, discuss science, meet invited guests and also learn how to present their own research to audience not really familiar with their topic. In addition participants can profit from short workshops on technical and transferable skills. The next Students’ & Postdocs’ Retreat will take place on  July 29-31, 2024.

Another important aspect of professional development of young scientists is planning of next career steps. Here again ML4Q students and postdocs can profit from programs already offered by University of Cologne, Bonn University  and RWTH Aachen.

In addition, the ML4Q Alumni Career Talks will give young scientists a first hand insight into the possible career paths in the field of Quantum Technologies and Information. In this seminar series two to three invited guests from and outside academia will share their working experience with students and postdocs. The format including short talks, panel discussion and informal get together will assure that the audience gets the information on various possiblities and interacts directly with the speakers. The next ML4Q Alumni Talk  willbe announced soon. The past events can be looked up here.