The Gen-Q – Generation Quantum doctoral training programme, supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe and Eucor – The European Campus, offers 51 fully funded PhD positions across top European universities. This international, interdisciplinary programme is your chance to lead advancements in quantum technologies. You can also check out 20 Fully-Funded PhD Scholarships at Uppsala University
Programme Overview
Gen-Q is a 48-month doctoral programme designed to train future leaders in quantum science and technologies, such as quantum computing and sensing. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND with a 13 million euro budget, including 6 million euros from the EU and contributions from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI), Gen-Q offers a world-class research and training environment.
Key Features
- 51 PhD positions at seven leading European universities.
- Interdisciplinary focus combining physics, chemistry, materials science, and computer science.
- International collaboration with academic and non-academic partners.
- Secondments (3–12 months) with industry partners to enhance employability.
- Personalized training with a dedicated supervisor, co-supervisor, and mentor.
Interested in More PhD Positions? Follow links below
Host Institutions and Positions
Research is conducted at the following partner institutions:
- University of Strasbourg, France: 14 positions
- University of Basel, Switzerland: 12 positions
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany: 11 positions
- University of Amsterdam, Netherlands: 6 positions
- University of Haute-Alsace, France: 3 positions
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland: 3 positions
- Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Germany: 2 positions
Research Focus Areas and Topics
Gen-Q focuses on four grand challenges in quantum science and technology, with 69 predefined research topics across these areas. Candidates can choose up to two topics or propose their own, aligned with the programme’s goals. Below is the complete list of topics, organized by focus area, with their respective host institutions. Find the project description of each topic here.
Check also: 15 Research Associate Positions (Doctoral Candidates) at MARUM, University of Bremen
A. Overcoming Noise in Quantum Devices
- Mitigating Undesired Parametric Processes in Quantum-Limited Amplifiers (5A)
- Host: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany
- Dynamic Control of Non-Stationary Noise Processes in Engineered Quantum Systems (6A)
- KIT, Germany
- Andreev Spin Qubits in Superconducting-Semiconducting Heterostructures (12A)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Spin Qubits in Magnetic Domain Walls and Skyrmions for Quantum Bus in Semiconductor Quantum Dots (14A)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Hybrid Qubits-Qudits, Topological Excitations: Majoranas, Parafermions, Interactions, and Topological Effects (15A)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Semiconductor SiGe Spin Qubits (16A)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Continuous Atomic Clocks (28A)
- University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Digital Quantum Simulation of Fermionic Systems (40A)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Quantum Heat Engines (46A)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Sympathetic Cooling and Spectroscopy of Trapped Molecular Ions (48A)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Coherent Spectroscopy of Organic Molecules (68A)
- University of Freiburg, Germany
- Investigation of Electronic Correlation in Atoms by Coincidence Spectroscopy (69A)
- University of Freiburg, Germany
Check also: 18 Fully Funded PhD Vacancies at the Technical University of Denmark
B. Scaling Up Complexity in Qubits and Sensors
- Quantum Spin Arrays on Superconductors (20B)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Quantum Sensing of Two-Dimensional Magnets (21B)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Photonic Cluster States (23B)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Compact Rubidium Cold Beam for Testing and Sensing Matter-Wave Diffraction in 2-3D (27B)
- University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Fluorescent Nanoprobes for Quantum Sensing with Ultimate Spatial Resolution (33B)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Electromechanical Control of Light-Matter Interactions in van der Waals Heterostructures for Quantum Sensing (34B)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Harnessing Moiré Excitons for Quantum Sensing (35B)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Quantum Cellular Automata with Rydberg Atom Qubits (39B)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Berry Curvature Quantum Memory and Logic Devices (43B)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Heterospin Molecular Systems for Two-Qubit Gates (53B)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Quantum Sensing of Non-Reciprocal Spin-Waves (54B)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Quantum Exceptional Points for Quantum Sensing (56B)
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
- Signatures of Quantum Chaos in Few-Body Systems (62B)
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
- Simulating Quantum Spin Systems in Arrays of Individually Trapped Ions (66B)
- University of Freiburg, Germany
- Polaron Physics of Single Ions Embedded in Degenerate Quantum Gases (67B)
- University of Freiburg, Germany
Also read: Fully Funded Research Opportunities at Trinity College Dublin
C. Developing Quantum Hardware
- Cavity-Enhanced Spin-Photon Interface for SnV Centers in Diamond (1C)
- KIT, Germany
- Long-Lived Quantum Memories and Collective Phenomena in Cavity-Coupled Rare Earth Ion Doped Molecular Complexes (2C)
- KIT, Germany
- Interfacial Magnetism in Topological Heterostructures (3C)
- KIT, Germany
- Pressure Dependence of Topological Properties of Quantum Materials (4C)
- KIT, Germany
- Coherent Nuclear Spin-Photon Interfaces in Lanthanide Complexes (7C)
- KIT, Germany
- Synthetic Engineering of the Hilbert Space of Lanthanide Complexes for Quantum Gates and Algorithms (8C)
- KIT, Germany
- Optimizing Spin Qubit Control in Novel Industrial Semiconductor Spin Qubit Devices (9C)
- KIT, Germany
- Hybrid Quantum Architecture for Single Spin Readout with a Superconducting Qubit (10C)
- KIT, Germany
- Nuclear Qudits in Single Molecular Magnets Manipulated with STM (11C)
- KIT, Germany
- Higher-Order Topological Phases in Magnetic and Non-Hermitian Systems, Non-Reciprocal Phenomena (13C)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Transport in Molecular Quantum Systems (17C)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Phonon Dynamics and Thermal Transport in 2D Ferroelectric and Magnetic Materials (18C)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Phonon Dynamics and Thermal Transport in Si/Ge Heterostructures (19C)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- A Diamond-Based Spin-Photon Interface (22C)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Bilayer Graphene Quantum Dot Qubits Coupled to Microwave Resonators (24C)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Andreev Qubits on Planar Germanium (25C)
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- Rb-Sr Mixtures (26C)
- University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Robust State Preparations in Spin Boson Systems (29C)
- University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Ion-Mediated Rydberg Quantum Computing (30C)
- University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Trapped Ions in Optical Tweezers (31C)
- University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Graphene Nanoribbons as Atomically Controlled Quantum Light Sources (32C)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Light-Matter Quantum Dynamical Interplay in CQED with Ultracold Gases (36C)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Quantum Calorimetry and Sensing in the Levitated Regime (37C)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Precise Spin Detection and Manipulation of a Single Molecule Magnet (38C)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Magnetic Weyl Semimetal Topological Quantum Devices (44C)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Metrological-Grade Quantum Cascade Laser at 7.5 μm (47C)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Spin Resonance at the Nanoscale (55C)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Simulations of Ultra-Strong Light-Matter Interactions and Applications for Quantum Information Processing (57C)
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
- Dynamics and Transport in Hybrid Nanostructures (58C)
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
- Spin Waves in Ferromagnetic and Hybrid Structures for Quantum and Classical Signal Processing (60C)
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
- Ordered Supergraphene by Er Intercalation Magnetic Interaction via Delocalized π-States (65C)
- University of Haute-Alsace, France
Check also: UBD Graduate Research Scholarship 2025-2026
D. Developing Quantum Software
- Semi-Classical Phase Space Approaches to Cold Atom Quantum Technology (41D)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Entanglement-Optimized Quantum Circuit Simulations (42D)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Entanglement of Distant Qubits: A Quantum/Classical Approach (45D)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Multi-Qubit Gates for Rydberg Atom Quantum Computing (49D)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- LDPC Codes for Error Correction with Neutral Atoms (50D)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Efficient Tensor Networks for Nearly Integrable Quantum Many-Body Dynamics (51D)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Quantum Error Correcting Codes and Models of Phase Transitions (52D)
- University of Strasbourg, France
- Machine Learning for Quantum-Optical Phenomena and Technologies (59D)
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
- Application of Negative Probabilities in Quantum Information Theory (61D)
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
- Time-Efficient Quantum-Inspired Metaheuristics for Multi-Period Shelter Location-Allocation Problems (63D)
- University of Haute-Alsace, France
- Hybrid Quantum-Inspired Optimization for Home Health Care Nurse Allocation, Routing, and Scheduling (64D)
- University of Haute-Alsace, France
Also Read: Max Planck Doucet Scholarship 2026
Training and Career Development
Gen-Q’s 3-tiered training structure equips candidates with scientific and transferable skills for a successful career:
- Individualized Support: Each candidate is guided by a supervisor, co-supervisor, and mentor.
- Industry Secondments: 3–12-month placements with non-academic partners.
- Skill-Building: Training in research integrity, open science, and FAIR data management principles.
- Career Focus: Prepares candidates for leadership roles in academia or industry.
Worth Read: 19 Fully Funded PhD Opportunities at University of Antwerp
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, candidates must meet these criteria:
- Mobility Rule: Must not have lived or worked in the recruiting university’s country for more than 12 months in the last 36 months before 31 August 2025 (excludes short stays like holidays).
- Doctoral Candidate Status: Must not hold a doctoral degree at the application deadline.
- Academic Background: Master’s degree in a STEM field (top 15% of grading system).
Gen-Q encourages applications from all nationalities, researchers with disabilities, and researchers at risk, with dedicated outreach through the Scholars at Risk network.
Also Check: TU Delft Announces 10 Fully Funded PhD Positions
Application Process
Applications are open from 1 July to 31 August 2025, 17:00 (Brussels time). Follow these steps:
Required Documents
- Motivation Letter: Max. 2 pages, detailing your interest and fit for the chosen topic.
- CV: Max. 3 pages, using the Gen-Q CV template.
- Reference Letter: Max. 1 page, not from a potential supervisor.
- Ethics Self-Assessment: Use the provided ethics self-assessment form.
Note: Submit as a single PDF with your family name in the filename. Extra documents will be disregarded.
How to Apply
- Use the Gen Samoa online application form.
- For researchers at risk, mailed applications are allowed with prior approval (contact [email protected]).
- Apply for up to two research topics, indicating priority. You may propose your own topic or modifications.
Check this: 10 Fully-Funded PhD Scholarship Opportunities at the University of Oslo
Tips
- Review the Guide for Applicants and use provided templates.
- Contact supervisors to discuss topics before applying.
- Ensure completeness, as incomplete applications will be rejected.
Selection Process
The selection process is merit-based and transparent, with two stages:
- Written Application (60%): Evaluated by three independent reviewers based on:
- Degree and skills (40%)
- Motivation letter (30%)
- Working experience (20%)
- Reference letter (10%)
- 70% threshold required to advance.
- Oral Interview (40%): 45-minute Zoom interview assessing education, presentation, scientific discussion, and institutional fit.
Timeline
- 1 July 2025: Call opens
- 31 August 2025, 17:00: Application deadline
- 8–26 September 2025: Written evaluation
- 2–20 October 2025: Evaluators’ consensus
- 24–31 October 2025: Interview invitations
- 3 November–3 December 2025: Interviews
- From 9 December 2025: Results announced
- First Quarter 2026: Fellowships begin
Also check: DARA Open Fellowship Call – Summer 2025
Candidates receive evaluation reports and reserve list updates within two months.
Funding and Support
Gen-Q is backed by 13 million euros, including EU and SERI funding, plus university contributions. Fellows receive:
- Competitive salaries
- Research support
- Training and secondment opportunities
Read: Hokkaido University MEXT Scholarship 2026 in Japan
Contact and Resources
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Eucor – The European Campus Coordination Office, Maison Universitaire Internationale, 11 presqu’île André Malraux, F-67100 Strasbourg
- Website: Gen-Q website for guides, templates, and FAQs.
Apply Now!
Join the quantum revolution with Gen-Q! Submit your application by 31 August 2025, 17:00 (Brussels time) and take the first step toward a cutting-edge PhD in quantum science.
