Introducing Sofia Qvarfort: New WINQ Assistant Professor

Author: Nordita Admin

Date published: 2024-10-10

About

Sofia grew up in Uppsala, Sweden, and moved to London in 2011 to study theoretical physics at Imperial College London. Her interest in quantum physics and quantum information theory began during a summer internship and Master's project with Dr. David Jennings. She completed her PhD on quantum metrology with optomechanical systems under Dr. Alessio Serafini at University College London.

She was awarded two EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowships at Imperial and UCL, working with Dr. Michael Vanner and Dr. Peter Barker. In 2021, she returned to Sweden as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fellow at Stockholm University with Dr. Igor Pikovski and joined the WINQ initiative at Nordita. In 2024, she became an assistant professor at Nordita and Stockholm University, focusing on modeling quantum systems with nonlinear dynamics for state preparation and quantum sensing.

What possibilities do you see in taking on this position?

Besides the opportunity to do more research on this topic I also see the potential of building something in Sweden that is about furthering quantum information expertise - going all the way from theory to application of quantum technologies in society, and establishing an environment where this research can take place. Putting Stockholm and Nordita on the map as a hub for quantum information research - that’s really exciting. Personally, I also really look forward to being able to build a group where postdocs and PhD students can do science and have a good time being in academia doing exciting research. That’s important to me.

How can WACQT/WINQ/Nordita help you realise your ambitions?

I really like that WACQT provides this practical side of quantum technologies, such as building a quantum computer. WINQ compliments this with theoretical aspects including fundamental questions regarding quantum theory and related topics. Together they form a dynamic environment and being physically here at Nordita, to collect everyone in the same space is very beneficial. Just talking together in the lunch hour can lead to some really interesting ideas and discoveries but also to have WACQT as a larger environment that we can interface with I think it is really nice, for support, research collaborations, projects, conferences, etc. It’s quite fun to have the critical mass!

How do you want to contribute to a creative quantum environment?

Firstly, I think it is about being creative in my own research and keeping an open mind. By talking to each other, we can come up with ideas that no one of us would have thought of on our own. I believe that a creative environment is established where people feel happy and relaxed so as I build my research group I see it as my job to provide a nice, open and supportive environment where people feel comfortable exploring ideas and focusing on creativity and collaboration.