Dr Zhenyu Cai awarded EPSRC Quantum Technologies Career Development Fellowship

Eleven UK researchers have been awarded a fellowship in this latest round, funded through the UK’s Quantum Technologies Programme and delivered by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) including two academics at the University of Oxford. The fellowships are designed to support the next generation of leaders in quantum research and help secure the UK’s position at the forefront of quantum innovation.

Dr Zhenyu Cai is an expert on the emerging topic of quantum error mitigation and has co-authored several key publications, including the first comprehensive review on the field. He also researches the practical implementations of quantum error correction and mitigation, with the goal of overcoming actual hardware constraints. He is the principal inventor of four patents, and has strong collaborations with leading quantum start-up Quantum Motion besides key industrial players around the world, including Google and NTT.

"I am honoured to receive the EPSRC Quantum Technologies Fellowship and truly excited about the opportunity to assemble a team of talented researchers to tackle errors in quantum machines—the critical bottleneck for practical quantum applications. The timing is ideal, as it opens up many opportunities to collaborate closely with the newly launched Oxford QCI3 Quantum Hub, the National Quantum Computing Centre nearby, and industrial partners."

With the EPSRC investment, he aims to develop an integrated toolkit for suppressing errors in quantum machines through a full-stack approach, integrating error-suppression techniques across all layers of quantum computation. Key milestones towards achieving this include creating novel error-suppression frameworks, optimising for practical implementations, and experimental validation - all crucial for unlocking quantum computers' full potential for real-world applications. He said:

Previously based in the Department of Materials, Dr Cai is moving to the Department of Engineering Science, where his fellowship will be hosted. The department’s expertise in quantum technologies, systems engineering, and interdisciplinary collaboration provides a unique environment for this work.

“The Department of Engineering Science offers the ideal base for this project. It combines a strong culture of cross-disciplinary research with the engineering depth needed to tackle complex quantum challenges. I’ll also be working alongside leading researchers in the field, including Prof. Sarah Thomas, Prof. Natalia Ares, and Prof. Dominic O’Brien, Director of the Oxford Quantum Technology Hub.”

About the EPSRC Fellowships

The Fellowships are designed to accelerate researchers’ careers and fast track them towards world-leading positions in the future, ensuring the UK maintains its position as a global force in quantum technology. The investment provides an invaluable opportunity to advance their research and innovation, and will provide opportunities to build connections with industry and end-users, reducing the gap between research and commercialisation.

Dr Cai joins a vibrant community of researchers working to transform the future of quantum technologies, and we are excited to support the next stage of his journey here at Engineering Science.

Further information about the EPSRC Quantum Technology Career Acceleration Fellowship can be found on the EPSRC website.