Welcome to QuRIOUS!
QuRIOUS – Quantum Research and Innovation in Optical clocks for Upcoming Scientists is Doctoral Network fundend by the European Commission. Over the next 4 years, QuRIOUS will train 15 PhD researchers in the rapidly advancing field of optical clocks and their applications in science and industry.
Optical clocks, the most precise timekeepers ever built, measure time with an accuracy of up to one part in a quintillion, enabling breakthroughs in navigation, geodesy, telecommunications, and fundamental physics. With the quantum technology market projected to reach €3 billion by 2030, QuRIOUS aims to equip a new generation of experts to lead Europe’s progress in this field. The network, coordinated by the University of Amsterdam, unites 11 leading universities and industry partners—including institutions in Amsterdam, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Toruń, Vienna, Innsbruck, Paris, and Italy’s National Metrology Institute—along with 11 associated partners across Europe. Together, they will provide world-class training at the intersection of quantum science and technology. “Optical clocks are becoming central to many areas of science and industry,” says coordinator Florian Schreck (University of Amsterdam). “QuRIOUS will prepare young scientists to drive the next wave of quantum innovation.” QuRIOUS builds on previous EU-funded initiatives such as MoSaiQC, iqClock, and AQuRA, continuing Europe’s leadership in quantum timekeeping and precision measurement. |
Recent News20-7-2026: Welcome Anish!
We are very pleased to welcome Anish Dutta to the project! Anish completed his BS–MS dual degree in Physics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata. During his studies, he gained research experience through stays at TIFR Mumbai, EPFL in Switzerland, and ANU in Australia. At ANU, he worked with ultracold metastable helium atoms and helped build a laboratory to study phase transitions in quantum systems. This experience encouraged him to pursue a research career in quantum technology with cold atoms.
He is now a doctoral researcher at the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), working on the project “Engineering quantum states and metrology in a hybrid cavity lattice clock.” He will help to develop a cavity-enhanced optical lattice clock based on strontium atoms, in which a high-cooperativity linear Fabry–Pérot cavity is superimposed on a magic-wavelength bow-tie cavity to provide homogeneous atom–cavity coupling. Ths will include quantum non-demolition measurements on the trapped atoms to generate spin-squeezed states and investigation of their potential for precision measurements. Outside the laboratory, he enjoys travelling and cooking. He hopes to have a lot of fun during my PhD, too. Anish joined the QuRIOUS network on July 20, 2026 and is based at INRIM as R9-INRIM. We are delighted to have Anish join the QuRIOUS network and look forward to this exciting journey! 1-9-2026: Welcome Nicole!
We are very pleased to welcome Nicole to the QuRIOUS project! Nicole did her undergraduate studies in Physics with a minor in Computer Science at American University in Washington, D.C., USA. Her research experience was through the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) where she investigated the mechanical loss of optical coatings for applications in the detectors, for the overall objective of thermal noise reduction. She also worked in the university's makerspace and prototyping lab where she gained technical experience in fabrication, modeling, and electronics.
Her work will be on the current lab-based strontium optical lattice clock at the University of Birmingham. She will be making upgrades to the current system in the pursuit of improving its performance and accuracy through the implementation of a 2D Magneto-Optical Trap and by switching from Strontium-88 to Strontium-87. Nicole joined the QuRIOUS network on September 1, 2026 and is based at UoB as R3-UoB. We are delighted to have Nicole join the QuRIOUS network and look forward to this exciting journey! 24-9-2026: QuRIOUS joins the Photonics & Quantum Impact Cluster (PQI Cluster)
We are excited to announce that QURIOUS is now part of the Photonics & Quantum Impact Cluster (PQI Cluster). With this collaboration, we hope to intensify dissemination activities and contribute to strengthening of of Europe's leadership in these topics. Read more about the cluster here.
The PQI Cluster brings together 12 EU-funded projects focused on advancing photonics and quantum technologies, united by a strong spirit of cooperation and shared vision. By leveraging complementary capabilities across research, industry, and innovation ecosystems, the cluster maximizes the dissemination and cross-fertilization of results. Through coordinated action and structured knowledge exchange, it amplifies impact beyond individual projects. Together, we strengthen Europe’s technological leadership in next-generation photonics and quantum solutions. |
