IonQ and the University of Cambridge have opened the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre within the Ray Dolby Centre, the new home of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory, the company says. This launch, occurring less than nine months after the partnership was first announced on March 11, 2026, establishes a physical hub for the university’s largest corporate research collaboration.
Research will focus on strengthening the quantum network between Cambridge and Bristol, alongside co-development of new quantum network nodes and sensing capabilities. “The opening of the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre turns a landmark agreement into a working home for quantum research inside one of the world’s most storied physics laboratories,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ.
IonQ and Cambridge Launch Quantum Research at Ray Dolby Centre
The centre will house a dedicated quantum network node as part of the newly established IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre, strengthening the existing Cambridge-to-Bristol quantum network. IonQ will deploy a Superion 256-qubit quantum computer and an entanglement-distribution quantum network, providing a platform for collaborative research and access to quantum computing resources through the IonQ cloud. Nine inaugural research projects, selected by a joint committee of business and scientific leaders, will drive the Centre’s initial focus, combining Cambridge’s academic expertise with IonQ’s capabilities in trapped-ion quantum computing and device engineering.
These projects span experimental and computational avenues, addressing fundamental challenges in scaling quantum systems and applying quantum algorithms to real-world problems. One experimental project aims to improve light collection from trapped ions using microscopic mirrors, a critical step towards creating optical connections between quantum processors and enabling larger, more powerful quantum computers.
Computational efforts will explore applications in diverse fields including chemistry, materials science, finance and medicine, with specific goals of optimizing investment portfolios, modeling structural engineering responses, and identifying cancer therapy targets. Jordan Shapiro, President, Quantum Platform at IonQ, said, “The Centre combines Cambridge’s research strength with IonQ’s networking, sensing, and security capabilities.
It transforms into a facility where new quantum network nodes, sensing techniques and the intellectual property behind them are developed side by side.” This co-location is intended to accelerate the translation of academic discoveries into commercial quantum advantages, facilitating a more rapid cycle of innovation and development. The program draws on expertise from Cambridge’s Departments of Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science and Technology, as well as the Milner Therapeutics Institute and Cambridge Judge Business School, demonstrating a broad, university-wide commitment to quantum technologies. This speed reflects a shared commitment to accelerating quantum innovation and highlights the importance of collaborative partnerships in driving technological advancements.
The initiative also supports the creation of new academic positions, postdoctoral fellowships and PhD students at Cambridge, contributing to the development of a skilled workforce in quantum science and engineering and aligning with the UK National Quantum Strategy. Innovate UK will further support the collaboration by providing access and computing time for the National Quantum Computing Centre over a three-year period, expanding the reach and impact of the research.
Professor Mete Atatüre, Head of the Cavendish Laboratory, emphasized the significance for the UK’s position in the quantum revolution, stating, “The official launch of the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre is an exciting milestone in our partnership with IonQ, which will help Cambridge and the UK stay at the forefront of the quantum revolution.” These projects are designed to address both fundamental scientific challenges and practical applications, bridging the gap between theoretical research and real-world impact.
Students and postdoctoral researchers involved in the program will gain valuable experience connecting fundamental research with technology development and applications, preparing them to become leaders in the rapidly evolving field of quantum science and engineering.
The opening of the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre turns a landmark agreement into a working home for quantum research inside one of the world’s most storied physics laboratories.
Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ
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