The Quantum Software Lab at the University of Edinburgh, working with the National Quantum Computing Centre on software that makes quantum computers useful.
The Quantum Software Lab, based at the University of Edinburgh, works on the software side of quantum computing. A quantum computer is only useful if someone writes the instructions, called algorithms, and the programs that run on it. The lab works on algorithms, machine learning, systems, verification, error correction and real-world uses. A 2026 article described it as one of the largest research groups in the world dedicated to quantum software.
Its mission in the news article is to speed up quantum software development, including the algorithms, software systems and checking tools needed to make quantum computers useful and trustworthy. A UKRI news story describes its role as supporting the National Quantum Computing Centre in building a quantum software and applications centre that attracts talent, trains the next generation of workers, gives scientific advice to stakeholders and tackles key scientific challenges. The lab targets uses in healthcare, energy, finance, cybersecurity, manufacturing and AI.
The lab is in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, and it was opened as the NQCC's first software lab, through an agreement between the NQCC and the university. It is a cross-college effort that draws on researchers from the Schools of Informatics, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, plus EPCC, the university's supercomputing centre. It also works with the NQCC at Harwell on the four-year QATCH programme, with hardware vendors and industry users on national testbeds.
Professor Elham Kashefi, who is the NQCC's Chief Scientist and Personal Chair in Quantum Computing at Edinburgh, leads the lab with a team of researchers. A 2026 article said a new UK Government investment would fund recruitment from early-career researchers to senior posts, and joint fellowships with industry partners. The lab says it is a full-stack feedback loop linking researchers, academia and industry, and it is the research backbone of the SparQ Applications Discovery Programme, which supports UK companies and researchers exploring quantum computing.
A lab with this mission needs computer scientists, mathematicians and physicists, software engineers, researchers in machine learning and verification, and staff who teach and run training. It also provides facilities for teaching new academic leaders in quantum software and algorithms. Students interested in coding, maths or logic could look at the University of Edinburgh's Informatics courses and the NQCC pages, and the lab's roles have been advertised on the Tech Nation job board.
Website: www.ed.ac.uk
PURPOSE helps school and university students explore 62 sectors and over 1,000 entry-level careers in the UK, then connects them directly with employers.
Explore PURPOSE