CCST offers Statewide Call for Experts in Quantum Technology
Quantum expertise are needed by the California Council on Science and Technology to guide innovation.
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) issued a Call for Experts in quantum technology and innovation to strengthen California's leadership in next-generation technologies. Leading scientific and technology professionals are sought to help the state build policies, increase research capacity, and promote strategic growth in quantum science, a fast emerging field.
Candidates with extensive expertise of quantum computing, communications, sensing, semiconductors, and related topics are encouraged to submit nominations for this January 8, 2026 open call. Nominations are due January 30, 2026, emphasizing the importance of forming a top-tier advisory board in an industry poised to redefine technical frontiers.
Quantum Science-Based Strategy
Quantum technology is rapidly moving from theory to practice in computers, communications security, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and military applications. Quantum computing offers unequaled processing power by using quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement to solve challenging problems that even the most powerful classical supercomputers cannot.
Because quantum technology has revolutionary potential, the CCST is working to prepare California's workforce development, innovation ecosystems, and policy for its prospects and challenges.
Call for Experts Details
The latest CCST call is part of a bigger effort to gather specialists to advise on quantum technology advancement and use. The council seeks specialists in the following fields:
Methods for developing algorithms, error correction, and hardware and software for quantum computing.
Quantum communication infrastructure, including secure quantum networks and entanglement distribution.
Sophisticated quantum sensing and networking devices give unprecedented measurement and imaging precision.
Research on semiconductors and quantum materials, which produce scalable quantum devices.
New quantum hardware platforms include photonic, ion-trap, and neutral atom devices.
Quantum-enhanced machine learning and quantum-AI synergy improve performance.
Quantum jobs and workforce development: ways to train future quantum professionals.
AI and quantum energy needs: sustainability and power consumption in growing quantum data centers.
Society benefits from quantum applications in the environment, healthcare, and security. The expert nominations will guide CCST projects to support California's quantum strategy, which is partially governed by Assembly Bill 940. This statute encourages cutting-edge research and technology to shape California policy.
We welcome nominations from skilled individuals, including researchers, engineers, business leaders, and academic specialists. We welcome self-nominations to allow practitioners outside academic or policy circles to offer their experience.
This Matters for California
California leads technical innovation with some of the world's largest IT corporations, research institutes, and startups. Quantum technologies can thrive in the state due to its capabilities in biotechnology, cloud computing, AI, and microelectronics.
However, quantum research creates new issues. Quantum systems use qubits, which can be in several states, while classical computing uses binary bits. This enables exponential computing power but requires new software, hardware, and error prevention mechanisms. Thus, building government-business strategy requires engaging technical experts.
Quantum innovation advocates say this discipline could improve medicine discovery, climate modeling, secure communications, and optimization difficulties that traditional systems struggle with. As quantum technologies evolve, California must integrate them into important economic sectors, educational systems, and infrastructure to stay competitive.
Expert Involvement Beyond Policy Advice
CCST seeks practitioners, not academic thinkers, who can discuss real applications and execution. Experts may serve on steering committees and contribute to CCST activities including expert briefings, workshops, studies, and other science-policy interfaces for lawmakers and decision-makers.
These encounters let scientists and decision-makers explore technical concepts and turn them into practical solutions.
Broader quantum technology advances
This demand for information comes as quantum technologies gain domestic and international interest and financing. The federal and state governments are investing billions on infrastructure, jobs, and quantum research. National bipartisan support for reauthorizing large quantum research programs to boost innovation and competitiveness is growing.
Industry and technology hubs from multibillion-dollar innovation parks to university-led research consortia are also working harder to commercialize quantum discoveries. These advances are part of a greater recognition that quantum technology could revolutionize the 21st century like classical computing did.
Looking Ahead
CCST is positioning California as a leader in strategic planning, policy, and technological development by hiring quantum experts. As the nomination deadline approaches, the scientific and technical community will watch how this effort affects the state's plan for handling one of the greatest technological revolutions.
Scientists, engineers, and innovators who want to define quantum technology's future can engage in strategic decision-making at the intersection of science, policy, and public impact through the CCST call for experts.
