Go further · Chapter 15 · 15b · A step deeper
Do you need a PhD to work in quantum?
The short answer (tap to open)
No. Many quantum jobs need engineers, technicians, software developers, project managers and salespeople, and most need awareness of quantum ideas more than deep physics. About three in ten quantum job adverts ask for a PhD. The UK sector employed around 1,700 people in 2022 to 2023, and the government funds apprenticeships, internships and doctoral training to grow it.
Is there a skills shortage?
Last checked: 2 October 2026.
Yes, by most measures. In 2022 McKinsey found about one qualified candidate for every three quantum job openings. The UK's Quantum Skills Taskforce (May 2025) projected about 250,000 new quantum computing roles worldwide by 2030, and 840,000 by 2035. Projections like these are uncertain, but every source agrees demand is outgrowing supply.
What jobs exist?
- Hardware: physicists, electronics and microwave engineers, laser and optics engineers, cryogenics specialists, lab technicians.
- Software: developers, algorithm researchers, error-correction specialists, people who connect quantum machines to ordinary computers.
- Making things: chip fabrication, mechanical engineering, quality control.
- Business: product managers, sales, partnerships, policy, communication and teaching.
How many need a PhD?
Fewer than you'd think. An analysis of US job adverts reported in Physics Today (October 2025) found about 31% asked for a PhD in 2022 and 2023, falling over time, and more than half needed no postgraduate degree. The UK taskforce found most roles need quantum awareness, not deep physics, and named engineers and technicians as priorities for apprenticeships.
Illustrative guidance, not careers advice. Nothing you tick leaves this page.
Roles and routes, in a table
| Role | From school | From university | From work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab technician | An apprenticeship, such as the NQCC's | A science or engineering degree, then a lab role | Move across from lab or electronics work |
| Electronics or microwave engineer | An engineering apprenticeship | An electronics or physics degree | Move across from electronics or telecoms |
| Quantum software developer | A computing degree or apprenticeship | A computing degree, then a quantum course | Move across from software, with a short quantum course |
| Algorithm researcher | A maths, physics or computing degree | A PhD or research master's | Usually a research degree first |
| Chip fabrication engineer | An engineering apprenticeship | A materials or engineering degree | Move across from the semiconductor industry |
| Product manager | Start in a technical or business role and grow into it | Any degree, then a junior product role | Move across from product roles in other tech |
| Sales and partnerships | Start in sales and specialise | Any degree, then a technical sales role | Move across from technology sales |
| Policy and communication | Any degree that suits you | Any degree, then a policy, science-writing or outreach role | Move across from policy, journalism or teaching |
Illustrative guidance, not careers advice. Nothing you tick leaves this page.
What help is there in the UK?
- Doctoral training: in 2024 the research council EPSRC funded 65 centres for doctoral training, five of them in quantum technology.
- Apprenticeships: the National Quantum Computing Centre runs a dedicated quantum apprenticeship programme (from 2024).
- Internships: up to 100 funded quantum internships announced in March 2026.
- Free courses: including this one, which counts as quantum awareness.
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Quantum needs more than physicists.
Engineers, coders, technicians and communicators all have a way in.