Walton Institute at South East Technological University has been selected to coordinate QUESTING, a €4 million Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network designed to train the next generation of quantum internet experts. This project unites nine European universities and thirteen industry partners to address a critical skills shortage in distributed quantum networks, with a focus on the complete system lifecycle. QUESTING will fund fifteen fully-funded PhD candidates as “Q-System Innovators,” specialists with interdisciplinary expertise spanning quantum technology, communications, computing, and social sciences, establishing a harmonised curriculum intended to become the European standard for quantum network systems training.
QUESTING: Training a New Generation of Quantum Innovators
Walton Institute at South East Technological University is coordinating QUESTING, a €4 million Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network. This project aims to train the next generation of quantum internet experts by funding 15 fully-funded PhD candidates as “Q-System Innovators.” These specialists will possess interdisciplinary expertise spanning quantum technology, communications, computing, and social sciences—addressing a critical skills shortage in Europe.
QUESTING is the first doctoral network to address the complete lifecycle of distributed quantum networks, establishing a harmonised curriculum intended to become the European standard for training in these systems. The consortium of nine European universities and thirteen industry partners – including Airbus Defence and Space and British Telecommunications – takes a holistic approach integrating expertise from quantum physics to the humanities.
This project isn’t just theoretical; it focuses on moving beyond studying the future to actively engineering it. By training specialists who understand quantum systems from design through deployment, QUESTING aims to give Europe a competitive edge in building the quantum internet. Researchers will focus on the “fertile nexus” where quantum and classical computing meet, with the goal of benefitting society in untold ways.
The QUESTING Consortium: European Universities and Industry Partners
The QUESTING consortium is a €4 million Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network coordinated by Walton Institute at South East Technological University. This project unites nine European universities, including Trinity College Dublin and University of Galway, with 13 industry partners like Airbus Defence and Space and British Telecommunications. QUESTING focuses on training a new generation of experts to address the growing need for a skilled workforce in quantum technologies, specifically to design, manage, and operate quantum networks at scale.
QUESTING will train 15 fully-funded PhD candidates as “Q-System Innovators,” specialists possessing interdisciplinary expertise. The project uniquely tackles the complete lifecycle of distributed quantum networks, moving beyond isolated research to integrate quantum physics, complex systems theory, information engineering, and humanities. This holistic approach considers ethical and societal implications alongside technical development, aiming to establish a harmonised doctoral curriculum as a European standard for quantum network training.
By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, QUESTING intends to give Europe a competitive edge in the development of the quantum internet. Walton Institute will manage the entire consortium, enhancing its international profile and attracting top doctoral talent. Researchers will focus on theoretical modelling and optimization of advanced quantum networks, addressing the intersection of quantum and classical computing to benefit society in untold ways.
We are expanding on our existing quantum expertise with the announcement of this QUESTING project here in Walton Institute. Our team of researchers will be leaders in theoretical modelling and optimization of advanced quantum networks which will benefit society in untold ways.
Dr Deirdre Kilbane
Establishing a European Standard for Quantum Network Training
The QUESTING project, coordinated by Walton Institute, will establish a harmonised doctoral curriculum intended to become the European standard for training in quantum network systems. This €4 million Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network focuses on training the next generation of quantum internet experts by addressing a critical skills shortage in Europe. The project brings together nine European universities and thirteen industry partners to achieve this goal.
QUESTING will train fifteen fully-funded PhD candidates as “Q-System Innovators,” specialists with interdisciplinary expertise. This expertise spans quantum technology, communications, computing, and social sciences. The project uniquely tackles the complete lifecycle of distributed quantum networks, going beyond isolated study to integrate quantum physics, complex systems theory, information engineering, and even humanities disciplines.
By creating a training network, QUESTING aims to give Europe a competitive edge in building the quantum internet. Walton Institute will manage the entire consortium, enhancing its international profile and attracting top doctoral talent. The institute’s existing quantum expertise and experience leading large-scale EU projects position it well to lead this initiative and benefit society through advanced quantum network optimization.
