Oxford
Quantum
Circuits

Building a quantum-powered
future and enabling life-
changing discoveries.


The UK’s most advanced quantum computer


Build the core,
partner with the best

We partner with some of the most renowned universities, startups and companies. This unique approach will ensure that our technology is at the heart of tomorrow’s quantum revolution.
Meet Our Team


Ultimately, Ilana makes sure that OQC remains at the forefront of the quantum revolution. Thanks to her academic background, having gained a PhD in quantum physics from Royal Holloway, University of London, where she spent most of her PhD as a student in industry at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, she’s also providing technical input in the design of our quantum computer.
Ilana’s ambitions can be summed up in a single word that comes up a lot in a conversation with her: impact. Not just in the fledging quantum computing industry, but in the world writ. She believes in pushing the boundaries and doing things that have never been done before, thanks to quantum computing.
Ilana takes pride in breaking grounds on multiple levels: as a pioneer in quantum physics and as an executive woman in tech. When she’s not roadmapping, speaking at an event, reporting to the Board, pitching investors, hiring more ninjas or giving interviews, you might find her playing the piano, enjoying live music nights or boxing at the gym.

Convinced by OQC’s unique technological approach, and inspired by the can-do and forward-thinking attitude of the team, Andy joined as OQC’s first Quantum Engineer.
His first success, in cooperation with our partners, was to develop a prototype interface allowing an open-source quantum language to execute on our prototype processors. Since then, Andy has spent much of his energy developing our software stack for a much more powerful control system; more capable, flexible and extendable than ever previously developed. Andy also works on the development of the components of a robust, integrated solution for the design and simulation of superconducting circuits.
Having joined OQC at a transition time, from a research-focused organisation to a commercially successful business, Andy enjoys getting stuck-in with the challenges facing start-ups. He has always enjoyed tinkering with software programming, which led him to write web games and build electronics from a young age. That’s why, in his own words, “this all makes helping to build the quantum computers of the future at OQC feel not at all like a chore!”

Having grown up in South Africa, Toni moved back to the UK where she worked with a number of start-ups and HNW companies and individuals managing their day-to-day lives and businesses. When not managing Ilana’s diary, Toni has a hectic homelife including trying to manage two teenagers and an 18 month old Jack Russell / Shitzu nightmare!

As a Software Engineer, Kajsa is responsible for a number of quantum and development infrastructure projects around quantum chip simulation and data management systems.
Kajsa holds an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Lund University (Sweden) and a dual M.Sc. in Space Instrumentation and Technology from Université Paul Sabatier (France) and Luleå University of Technology (Sweden). Originally from Sweden, Kajsa loves the outdoors and takes any opportunity for alpine skiing. When there's no place to ski, she is quite content going for a hike or building a camp in some remote forest. This is fortunate as Oxfordshire doesn't have any mountains and seldom any snow.

Prior to joining OQC, Peter worked for multi-national, blue-chip organisations including ARM, Imagination Technologies and Ensilica and has led multiple COTS products from the ground up, including an ATX motherboard and an extended temperature, rugged SATA controller.
Peter has contributed in the development of multiple large scale, SOC products including a spectrography based gas detector, fingerprint recognition system and a radar-based, MIMO system for autonomous vehicles. Peter has also designed various IP products from the ground up, including a novel, power-aware SPI controller, an I2C controller, a memory controller and a parametrically scalable IIR filter.
Peter has a range of extracurricular qualifications in FPGA design, verification and RF engineering. In his spare time, Peter enjoys rock-climbing and producing music.

Prior to joining OQC, Anne-Claire was Director of Strategic Partnerships at what3words, another groundbreaking tech startup. Previously she had led the work of a United Nations’ agency on environmental and social sustainability; and helped established the corporate social responsibility program of the French national lottery. She also worked as a consultant to multiple CAC40 companies to address their technological gaps.
Anne-Claire holds a Masters degree in International Relations from La Sorbonne, Paris and a Law degree (LLB) from Rennes University (France). She also attended Harvard Extension School’s Business Communications curriculum. She’s a keen sailor and skier.

Prior to joining OQC, Shaun received no corrections on his PhD in quantum physics from Royal Holloway, University of London and, joined the National Physical
Laboratory. His work was in developing a novel near-field scanning microwave microscope designed to investigate atomic-scale defects in superconducting quantum technologies.
In the past, Shaun has also worked as a software engineer in Manchester where he received a Master's from the University of Manchester.
In his spare time, he enjoys bouldering and attending CrossFit classes.

Prior to joining OQC, Connor worked at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) where he was the lead researcher for the Superconducting Electronics team and worked on the development of Josephson Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers (JTWPAs) and research into the physics of superconducting nanobridges as Josephson elements, as well as dipping his toes into quantum metrology.
Connor received his PhD in physics from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2014 for work on the detection of thermoelectric effects in superconductors using a Hybrid Quantum Interference Device (HyQUID) as the read-out detector. He also developed a novel implementation of the HyQUID for use as a latching quantum read-out.
Connor is a member of the Institute of Physics, and has held Chartered Physicist status since 2017.
Outside of the laboratory he enjoys being outdoors - particularly multi-day hiking, as well as running (extremely slowly) through forests.

Prior to joining OQC, Jonathan worked as a Senior Research Scientist and Measurement Fellow at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). While there, he led research on the metrology of superconducting qubits focusing on the metrology and statistics for reliable reporting of qubit parameters. Before this, Jonathan was a PDRA/Quantum Engineer at the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WaCQT) at Chalmers University in Sweden where he focused on understanding decoherence in superconducting qubits and nanowire superinductors. He has also worked as a PDRA at the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) at UCL, where he worked on novel focused-ion-beam techniques as a means of realising low-dissipation nanowire circuits.
In 2014, Jonathan received a PhD in Physics from Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL). For his PhD, Jonathan worked between NPL and RHUL to develop new readout methods for superconducting resonators based upon frequency-metrology techniques.
Outside of the lab, Jonathan enjoys walking his dog and homebaking.

In his off time he runs various TTRPG games and plays piano (badly, for now).

Before joining OQC, Natasha spent over 6 years working in operations and administration for a specialised Technology and Engineering recruitment agency where she has been able to develop knowledge and experience across a wide range of functions.
Outside of the office, Natasha enjoys exercising at the gym, travelling and exploring new places around the world, and being a massive food lover, trying all the different cuisines that come along with this!

As a budding professional physicist Chris is excited for the opportunity to be working at the forefront of quantum computing technology and hopes to grow as a researcher along with the new and exciting industry of quantum technologies.
Originally from the Isle of Man, Chris enjoys cooking, dancing (whether he is any good at it is subjective but he definitely enjoys it) and playing the guitar. He is also an avid rock climber, adding yet another climber to the OQC team.

Prior to joining OQC Norbert worked on several integrated development environments as a software engineer, getting familiar with multiple areas of software development, like automated tests, build automation, compilers and UI.
Norbert received a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the ENS Lyon (France). Besides his professional experience, he also got involved in several research projects in academia. Most of the time, he worked closely with FPGAs, for example studying floorplanning algorithms, high level synthesis, or designing several applications.
Norbert loves to travel and visit new places, either as a vacation or for work, so moving to the UK from Romania was an exciting adventure. When he is not exploring, Norbert reads and watches movies, preferably science fiction or fantasy themed ones.

Simon is an experienced technology executive and a seasoned entrepreneur. Since joining a burgeoning entertainment software industry in the 90’s, Simon has founded and grown several companies to international acclaim. From raising finance, establishing international organisations (including in China) and business development, Simon has a deep understanding of the fast paced technology sector.
Having previously been recognised in the ‘Games Industry Top 30 under 30’ for three consecutive years (before getting too old!) and Young Business Person of the Year in the Oxfordshire Business Awards, Simon is excited to apply his expertise and dynamic thinking to the world of Quantum computing.
Outside of technology, Simon has a private pilots license and enjoys flying vintage aircraft, has competed in international endurance motorsport events and has finished the London and New York marathons!

Bringing over 20 years experience in the accounting and finance sectors, Michelle has held senior finance roles in a wide range of industries from veterinarian, events, retail and industrial supply to technology and software development.
Michelle joins OQC at an exciting phase of its development as it matures from a start-up to commercialisation. Her wide range of experience ensures that the finance team can meet the challenges that go with a new, growing tech company.
Outside of the office, Michelle loves to travel, enjoys most sports and relishes trying new challenges and activities with her family - even if she isn't that great at some of them!

Narendra completed his PhD in physics from Temple University Philadelphia, USA where he focused on the development of superconductingTHz receivers for NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Before joining OQC, Narendra was a post-doctoral research fellow at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden where he developed novel MgB2 superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. His interests include superconducting quantum technology, quantum education outreach activities for underrepresented communities in science.
Originally from the foothills of the Himalayas, Narendra loves trekking, and he reads books and writes poems in his native language.

Prior to joining OQC, Yashwanth received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Leuven and IMEC in Belgium, where he worked on the development of 2D materials based tunnelling transistors for future electronic applications. He specialises in evaluating device performance and integration of novel materials for future CMOS technology. His current research interests include Quantum based Semiconductor and Superconductor technologies.
Outside of the office, Yashwanth plays the keyboard and composes music in Indian and contemporary genres. He also enjoys going to the gym and loves spending his off-days doing long hikes.

Originally from the United States, Brian moved to the UK in 2017 where he has served as a Marie Curie research fellow at the University of Oxford focusing in superconducting quantum circuits. Previously a research staff scientist for IBM, Brian helped develop their large-scale quantum computing platform. He was also a part of the founding team for the ‘IBM Quantum Experience’, the first publicly-accessible quantum computer.
Brian received his PhD in experimental physics at Yale University with work that showed the largest ‘Schrodinger cat states’ to date using microwave photons. Since moving to the UK, Brian has enjoyed running (slowly) through the muddy trails along the Thames and is a self-proclaimed transit nerd.

This is an unexpected and incommensurate loss. We miss him, his kindness, his wit and his work ethics deeply, and he will be forever remembered.
Phil had joined OQC in July 2018, when it was only three of us. Phil was more than just OQC’s VP Software; he was an incredible team leader, mentor and friend. He was immensely proud of his team and work at OQC, and we will endeavour to make Phil proud in everything we do.
To celebrate his achievements and honour his memory we are supporting Phil’s chosen charities: the Brompton Fountain and Julia’s House, dedicated to the well being of children and their families.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/philrsmith
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/philrsmith2

Peter’s move to Oxford in 2012 was a boost to the UK quantum circuits scene, and he has grown his group to be globally recognised. He now heads the UK’s Superconducting Quantum Computing development at the Leek Lab. There he developed OQC’s core IP - the Coaxmon - a quantum bit (qubit) developed from first principles with commercial scalability in mind and liberated from the constraints of 2D technology.
Peter has won over £3M in research council funding for his group and is the lead academic in the UK’s national quantum computing research hub. He continues to play a prominent role in the national programme as it transitions to its next phase in 2020.

His most recent executive role was as the founding chief executive of the Royal Society Enterprise Fund, a unique early-stage technology investment fund set up by the Royal Society and supported by philanthropy. Andrew holds a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics.




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