The CGR recently spotted that the civil service was recruiting a deputy head of the…
The CGR recently spotted that the civil service was recruiting a deputy head of the Office for Quantum. However, candidates for this role didn’t require any background of quantum to apply.
This is the individual that could be responsible for the rollout of the UK’s national quantum programme, help shape the purchase of large-scale quantum computers and work with companies and investors to bring more money into the sector.
Ameer Kotecha, CEO of the Centre for Government Reform is quoted in the article:
“The person in charge of purchasing quantum computers is not expected to have a background in quantum,” he said. “How can you have a non-subject-matter expert engaging with world-leading physicists at the National Physical Laboratory and UKRI?”
“Experience working in science is not even judged as essential; it’s judged to be of secondary importance,” he said. “It is hard to imagine as a more specialist area than quantum.”
You can read the full article in City AM here