The University of Oregon launches new master’s track bypassing PhD for quantum hardware jobs

The University of Oregon is creating a new path to a quantum hardware career with a master’s track designed as an alternative to the traditional PhD requirement. Six experimentally focused, project-based core courses, directed by Research Assistant Professor Nik Zhelev, form the foundation of the Quantum and Nanotechnology track within the Applied Physics Master’s Program. “Our aim with this program is to provide a route that focuses on hands-on experimental and practical skills,” explains Zhelev, addressing a critical shortage of talent equipped to build and maintain increasingly complex quantum systems.

The program began in 2024 with four students, expanded to ten students in Fall 2025, and expects eleven new students this upcoming Fall, bringing the total to twenty-five students across both cohorts. The program emphasizes practical experience with research-grade equipment, including a Bluefors dilution refrigerator, to prepare graduates for immediate contributions to the rapidly growing quantum industry.

University of Oregon Launches Quantum & Nanotechnology Track

This initiative addresses a growing bottleneck in the quantum industry: a scarcity of personnel with the practical skills necessary for building, operating, and maintaining increasingly complex quantum hardware. Unlike traditional pathways that prioritize doctoral degrees, the program offers an alternative route focused on hands-on expertise. This intensive curriculum moves beyond theoretical foundations, emphasizing practical application with research-grade equipment. Central to the program is a Bluefors Dilution Refrigerator, the first of its kind on the University of Oregon campus.

This system allows devices to be cooled to temperatures below 10 millikelvin, approximately 300 times colder than outer space, creating the noise-free environment essential for stable qubit operation. “To make this program a success we needed a dedicated lab space with the type of equipment that students will encounter in their jobs,” Zhelev notes.

“It’s rare to have the opportunity to gain experience with this type of equipment outside of a PhD program.” Early results demonstrate the program’s effectiveness; one of the initial students completed an internship at the Air Force Research Lab in New York and continues to work there after graduation. Within six months of the internship, he presented original research at quantum computing conferences.

The program, which began in 2024 with four students and expanded to 10 students in Fall 2025, expects 11 new students this upcoming Fall, preparing a workforce equipped to handle the ambiguities and complexities of real-world quantum hardware and meet the demands of a rapidly scaling industry.

Zhelev’s Lab Focuses on Superconducting Qubit Coherence

Nik Zhelev’s laboratory at the University of Oregon centers its research on achieving stable quantum behavior in microscopic circuits, a pursuit critical to advancing superconducting qubit technology. The lab’s work directly addresses a key limitation in current quantum systems: the fleeting coherence of qubits, the quantum equivalent of bits. Researchers are meticulously investigating the physical origins of defects that disrupt this coherence and exploring design modifications to mitigate their impact.

This demands precise control over the experimental environment, achieved through advanced cryogenic systems. Maintaining such temperatures minimizes environmental noise that can disrupt delicate quantum states. “For what we’re trying to do – which is get as many people as possible familiar with what’s inside the shields and vacuum can – this was the best system for our needs,” explains Zhelev, highlighting the importance of accessibility for student training.

This emphasis on practical skills is a direct result of Zhelev’s own experience, having worked extensively with cryogenics, superconductors, and Josephson junctions early in his career, fostering a belief in the power of direct experimentation. The program’s early success, with students securing internships at institutions like the Air Force Research Lab and Rigetti Computing, demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach and suggests a promising future for a new generation of quantum technologists.

Unlike traditional academic routes focused on PhD-level research, this program prioritizes hands-on experience with the complex equipment used in quantum experimentation. This extreme cooling is not merely a technical detail; it’s fundamental to minimizing environmental noise that can disrupt the delicate quantum states essential for qubit operation. “We needed a system that is easy to use with fast cooldown and turnaround cycles so students can interact with it frequently,” Zhelev shares, highlighting the importance of accessibility for learning.

The refrigerator supports research focused on understanding and mitigating defects that limit quantum coherence in superconducting qubits. Students utilize the system to investigate the physical origins of these defects, aiming to improve qubit design and performance. This emphasis on practical application extends beyond the refrigerator itself, encompassing RF equipment, optical systems, and nanofabrication tools.

Unlike traditional academic pathways centered on doctoral-level research, this program prioritizes experiential learning, offering a focused alternative for aspiring quantum technologists. This personal experience shaped the curriculum, aiming to replicate the hands-on environment often limited to PhD students. The selection of this particular refrigerator was strategic; the team prioritized a system with rapid cooldown and turnaround cycles. Beyond cryogenics, the curriculum encompasses RF equipment, optical systems, and nanofabrication techniques, equipping graduates with a versatile skillset.

Internships & Outcomes Demonstrate Workforce Readiness

The assumption that a doctorate is the sole pathway to a quantum hardware career is rapidly being challenged, as evidenced by emerging master’s-level programs prioritizing practical skill development. The program’s success is not theoretical; it’s measured in rapid employment and impactful contributions to leading quantum organizations. This isn’t simply about securing a position; it’s about immediate contribution.

Beyond these initial successes, the program’s 2025 cohort is already experiencing similar outcomes. Students are completing internships at Bluefors, Zero-Point Cryogenics, Pacific Northwest National Lab, the Quantronics group at the French Alternative and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), and National Taiwan University, broadening the network of industry partners validating the program’s relevance.

Zhelev emphasizes the program’s focus on equipping students to handle ambiguity and confidently engage with complex equipment, a crucial attribute for a rapidly evolving field. The program’s expansion to eleven new students this fall underscores its growing recognition as a vital pipeline for quantum talent, promising a future where skilled technicians and engineers are as valued as PhD-level researchers.