Markus Rambach (he/him)

Dr. Markus Rambach's research interests are in the field of neurotrophic computing and quantum optics, especially on low energy solutions for neural networks and single photon sources to create photonic qubits and qudits.

Markus was born and raised in a small alpine town in Austria, before doing his BSc and MSc at the University of Innsbruck (Austria). He did his undergrad in Physics, before completing an MSc in experimental quantum physics in the prestigious group of Prof. Rainer Blatt. Here, is where he met a young renegade Brit who had just completed his PhD in the research group of Prof. Andrew White at the University of Queensland. Inspired by the stories, Markus decided to have a look for himself and moved to Brisbane, where he completed his PhD with Andrew in 2017. After a short intermezzo for a Postdoc in Scotland, he moved back to Brisbane 2019 to help build up CI Jacqui Romero's new research group working on photonic qudits. Early 2023, Markus then rejoined director White's group as a senior research fellow. Markus' research interests are in the weird but beautiful world of quantum physics, where he is investigating ways to make the upcoming quantum internet a reality. Over the years he has worked with various single photon platforms and used them for quantum information experiments. More recently, he felt like Alice in the infinitely-sized wonderland of higher-dimensional quantum systems, so-called qudits. Early 2023, it was time to change gears: slightly away from sole quantum physics towards neuromorphic computing, a fancy way of saying 'computers that should think like the human brain' based on light.

Markus enjoys community engagement, be it as chair of the SMP Early and Mid-Career Academics Committee at UQ or as a member of the EQUS Public Engagement Committee. He particular likes the sparks in people's eyes when they start to understand a concept or idea.