Quantum Recruiting Forum 2026

Monday, December 7, 2026

The Chicago Quantum Recruiting Forum connects college students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers with employers recruiting for quantum-related roles and internships. The 2026 Forum will be held on Monday, December 7, 2026, and precedes the Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit taking place December 8–10, 2026.

This year’s Forum will feature a career fair where participants can meet employers from across the quantum ecosystem. Students and trainees may also request one-on-one interviews with participating Chicago Quantum Exchange partner companies. Participation is open to students and trainees across STEM and non-STEM disciplines, including physics, computing, engineering, and business.

Agenda

Time

Event

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

One-on-one interviews

3:00 – 6:00 PM

Recruiting Forum Career Fair

Interested students and postdocs should request an interview when registering. Signing up for the CQE Talent Portal's talent network is required to be eligible for an interview. Participants can join the waitlist for a one-on-one interview until October 30. Applicants selected for interviews will be notified by November 16.

Location: mHub, 1623 W. Fulton Ave, Chicago, IL

All participants must show identification to be admitted to the Quantum Recruiting Forum.

Employer Registration

CQE members and partners may host a recruiting table and meet one-on-one with interested students and postdocs.

Companies and organizations that are not CQE members or partners may reserve a recruiting table for $500 but are not eligible to participate in one-on-one interviews. Please contact Andrea Jett at jetta@uchicago.edu if you would be interested in joining the CQE as a corporate partner.

Employers attending the forum

Meet representatives from these organizations at the Chicago Quantum Recruiting Forum.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Physics

Participation is open to students and postdocs across STEM and non-STEM disciplines who are interested in quantum careers and internships. Companies and organizations with relevant opportunities may host recruiting tables, and CQE partners may also conduct one-on-one interviews with interested candidates.

The 2026 Quantum Recruiting Forum will be hosted at mHub, 1623 W. Fulton Street, Chicago, IL.

Participation for students and postdocs is free.

Requests to participate in interviews with companies must be received by October 19 for full consideration. Requests received after this date will enter a waitlist that will be considered in case additional interview slots open.

Participants must be signed up for the CQE Talent Portal's talent network to be eligible for an interview.

Attendees who requested to participate in interviews and are signed up with the CQE Talent Portal's talent network will receive the list of available companies and will be asked to return a list of their preferred companies. The companies will review the attendee’s profile and, if selected for an interview, the attendee will receive communication to confirm an interview placement and time slot.

Please see the interview timeline below.

October 20 – Interview sign-ups close
October 26 – Interview waitlist sign-ups close
November 3 – Interview registrants receive list of companies available
November 5 – Company selections due
November 30 – Interview placement announcement
December 2 – Due date to confirm interview placement and time slot

*Note that to be considered for an interview placement, you MUST sign up for the CQE Talent Network.

Identification is required to be admitted to the Quantum Recruiting Forum. Participants are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes, as well as a readily available link to their LinkedIn profile.

To participate in one-on-one interviews with students and postdocs, please fill out this registration form to confirm company attendance. The last day to register for one-on-one interviews is November 3; however, companies are welcome to register to host a table at the career fair until November 30.

Companies will select candidates for interviews from a list of interested attendees that will include their experience, background, and interests. The QRF team will confirm with the company’s selected candidates and schedule interview slots that accommodate the company’s preferred interview block.

Quantum Recruiting Forum 2026

Agenda

Employer Registration

Employers attending the forum

Sponsors

Looking to prepare before the forum?