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Quantum technology is among the most promising future technologies, and Finland has world-leading expertise in the field. This expertise is further strengthened by the QDOC doctoral pilot programme, launched in 2024 and funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. The pilot programme, led by Aalto University, will educate 90 doctoral researchers selected from a large international pool of applicants.

Is it worthwhile for companies to engage in research collaboration in a field that primarily involves demanding fundamental research and practical applications are yet to come? Yes, it is, affirm QDOC's partners.

“We’re involved more to learn than to steer. At this stage we are getting to know good doctoral researchers. If the critical importance of their research topic grows, we may later hire them,” says Petteri Alinikula, Chief Technology Officer at Saab Finland.

Another QDOC corporate partner, Telia, joined the programme because the company sees quantum technology as a highly important area of development for its business.

'Increasing technological understanding through this pilot supports Telia's future strategy. We hope to gain research insights and expertise in quantum technology for Telia's future use,' says Timo Hietalahti, Director of Regulations and Network Solutions at Telia.

Hietalahti believes the collaboration will also increase the interest of quantum technology experts in Telia as a potential future employer. Telia is not rushing into practical applications but is prepared to wait and see how quantum technology evolves.

The director of the QDOC programme, Professor Adam Foster, ccompares the development of quantum technology to that of artificial intelligence. For a long time, AI was largely a concept with few concrete applications, until practical applications suddenly expanded rapidly. Quantum technology is likely to follow a similar path, but with some delay.

'Direct technological applications from QDOC research topics will likely be very rare. There are a few topics that might lead to something within five years. Our main objective is to integrate these international students into the networks of Finnish companies and ensure that both they and their expertise remain in Finland,' says Foster.

Doctoral students are a top-tier group in any case. Most have a background in physics, a field widely regarded as highly demanding.

'They have strong foundational skills such as analytical thinking and problem-solving. We also teach them project management and teamwork,' Foster explains.

'Appropriately sceptical' doctoral researchers

Foster also emphasizes that QDOC students approach quantum technology with what he calls “healthy scepticism” and do not get caught up in the unnecessary hype.

'Our students understand what is relevant in the field and when. They have their finger on the pulse and provide realistic perspectives on what is worth researching.'

As a representative of the defence industry, Alinikula shares Foster’s view. He notes that quantum technology has long appeared on NATO's lists of the most promising technology trends. A few years ago, it already seemed that quantum radar could revolutionise radar manufacturing.

The hype, however, quickly faded when the practical implementation turned out to be not so simple.

'As a company, we still need to have sufficient expertise to assess research results emerging globally and to determine how much investment each technology deserves,' says Alinikula.

QDOC program continues to welcome new corporate partners

Funding a doctoral thesis is not the only way companies can collaborate. Companies can also act as career mentors for doctoral students or participate in supervising their doctoral thesis, as Saab does.

'There is still plenty of room for company mentors in QDOC. Mentors occasionally meet with students and can, for example, talk about their own career path,' describes Foster.

Promisingly, corporate partners have been found for the doctoral pilot, but more are still welcome. Currently, many of Aalto's 40 doctoral students already have a company or organisation as a research partner. In addition to mentoring, collaboration can also be done by organising company visits or other events for doctoral students.

All Aalto-based QDOC research projects can be explored by topic on the QDOC webpage. We are happy to connect companies and doctoral researchers, and there is still demand for company mentors within the program, for example. 

Please contact Juho Pirinen for more information about collaboration possibilities.