My experience as a Visiting Fellow at Phasecraft: Leo Zhou shares his thoughts on his time at Phasecraft
Leo spent three months at Phasecraft in Bristol and his visit culminated with the publication of a paper with CEO Ashley Montanaro on Quantum speedups in solving near-symmetric optimization problems by low-depth QAOA
At Phasecraft, our mission has always been to bridge the gap between groundbreaking theoretical research and practical applications of quantum computing. To achieve this we know that collaboration between academia and industry is key, which is why we believe so strongly in our Visiting Fellow programme.
By welcoming talented researchers to join our team for an extended period, the programme is designed to give scientists across all areas of quantum computing hands-on experience to apply their knowledge and accelerate the development of applied quantum algorithms.
Our latest fellow, Leo Zhou, recently joined us for three months in our Bristol office before starting his new role as Assistant Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During his time, he conducted research, led seminars and co-authored a paper (Quantum speedups in solving near-symmetric optimization problems by low-depth QAOA) with our co-founder and CEO, Ashley Montanaro. The paper demonstrates how Phasecraft’s quantum algorithmic approaches can solve certain optimization problems faster than classic computers – a core component of our mission.
“Phasecraft is an exceptional place where theoretical rigor meets practical application,” Leo says. “The team combines a solid foundation in theory with a practical mindset, supported by a strong software engineering team. It’s a rare combination that allows for an agile approach to solving real-world quantum computing challenges.”
Before joining UCLA, Leo’s academic journey included stints at Caltech, Harvard, and MIT, where he developed a deep understanding of quantum information theory, computational complexity, and quantum algorithms. He was drawn to Phasecraft after presenting his work at one of our workshops where he saw how his research interests aligned with our mission. What stood out for him in particular though was our highly collaborative and organised environment. “With a large R&D team, there are a lot of communication channels and many opportunities for people to collaborate and learn from each other,” Leo continues. “If I felt I needed subject matter expertise from someone, I was able to find out who to talk to quickly.”
During his tenure, Leo was able to directly contribute to the Phasecraft codebase and, for him, this hands-on experience truly brought the value of the programme to the fore.
“The team at Phasecraft really cares about finding useful things for quantum computers to do without compromising on solid foundations in theory. There are a lot of talented scientists who know how to prove theories, but they have the benefit of working with a strong software engineering team and practically minded people who know how to make things work.”
This makes the Visiting Fellow programme “a great opportunity for scientists currently in an academic group environment to learn how to think and work in a more practical and applied setting, where there are real-world problems in play, and these are often more complex than in an academic setting.”
In addition to his time in Bristol, Leo – who is based out of California – also spent time at our London office, taking advantage of the collaborative culture.
“The opportunity to spend a few months living in the UK was an attractive aspect of the Visiting Fellow programme. Bristol is a cool, vibrant city. There is a lively social scene with lots of great restaurants and music venues as well as a lot of beautiful countryside to explore.”
The laid-back atmosphere and the flexibility of the team, and our company’s emphasis on work-life balance also meant he was able to take full advantage of being a short flight from Europe. “I could often spend long weekends taking direct flights from Bristol to other European cities, and during my time at Phasecraft I visited Ireland, Spain and Switzerland.”
Leo’s experience underscores our Visiting Fellow programme mission and is a testament to its success in fostering collaboration between academia and industry. He believes the programme offers scientists an invaluable chance to work on real-world problems in a dynamic, multidisciplinary setting. “For academics who want to make their research more applicable, Phasecraft provides an ideal environment to learn how to think and work differently.”
Applications for the Visiting Fellow programme are open to scientists working in all areas of quantum computing and quantum information who have an interest in applications of quantum computing and near term quantum advantage. Applications from outstanding researchers in related fields will also be considered. Visiting Fellows will have completed their PhD and typically have an established research track record in the field. The position is fully funded with a competitive salary, travel and accommodation costs fully covered for the duration of the fellowship.
Phasecraft also offers Quantum Algorithms Internships that give students or anyone with an interest in quantum computing the opportunity to join the team working on exciting research.
Leo Zhou is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Prior to UCLA, he was a DuBridge Postdoctoral Scholar at the Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics at Caltech, hosted by John Preskill. He received his PhD in Physics from Harvard University under the guidance of Mikhail Lukin, after obtaining his BSc in Physics and Mathematics at MIT where he also worked with Edward Farhi.
