Exciting quantum industry appointments for Walton Institute interns.
At Walton Institute at South East Technological University, we offer exciting research positions as well as varied postgraduate opportunities, with hands-on experience across cutting-edge, international projects and access to learn from world-class leaders across various STEM fields.
Jimí Ó Baoille De Faoite and Dillon Broaders recently spent time as interns, working as part of the quantum communication technologies team within the Emerging Networks Lab (ENL) at Walton Institute, SETU. Both had completed their Masters in Physics at Trinity College Dublin, and being from local towns in the south east of Ireland, applied to Walton with interest in being part of an innovative and pioneering Research Institute located in their region.
Jimí and Dillon joined Walton Institute as early career researchers supporting Dr Deirdre Kilbane, Director of Research at Walton, and the team working on the IrelandQCI project – the €10 M project that focuses on building a national ground-based quantum communication network for Ireland, co-funded by the European Commission and the Irish government’s Department of Culture, Communication and Sport.
During their time at Walton, they gained hands-on research experience within the Quantum Facility, procuring cutting edge quantum technology, understanding processes for high-end equipment functionality, liaising with suppliers, learning about laboratory protocol, set up and management. They contributed to the establishment of the Walton Quantum Facility including working on many of the ongoing experiments and deployments such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and quantum entanglement networks.
As part of their remit, Jimí and Dillon took part in public-facing engagements on-board the IrelandQCI Quantum & Answers Trailer, an innovative mobile engagement unit designed to bring quantum technologies to life for the Irish public. They traveled to exhibitions and events across the country, taking part in demonstrating quantum communication experiments and promoting the benefits that quantum communication technology will bring to Irish society, engaging stakeholders spanning academia and government, to general public and vitally, industry end-users.
Pictured with the IrelandQCI Quantum & Answers Trailer during The Valencia Lecture in July 2025. From l-r: Pat Kelly, Executive Director CONNECT Centre, Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dillon Broaders and Jimí O’Baoill de Faoite.
Benefiting from all they experienced at Walton Institute, with exposure to working within research and with industry, Jimí and Dillon have both recently obtained excellent corporate positions within the field of quantum communication.
Jimí moved on from Walton to take up a fantastic international opportunity as Technical Service Engineer at Single Quantum based in Delft, The Netherlands. As part of his new role, Jimí recently traveled back to Dublin to provide installation support for a Single Quantum single-photon detection system at Trinity College Dublin Quantum Facililty as part of the IrelandQCI project, a full circle moment for Jimí having both studied at TCD and worked as part of the IrelandQCI team.
Pictured: Jimí recently travelled back to Dublin to provide installation support for a Single Quantum single-photon detection system at Trinity College Dublin Quantum Facililty as part of the IrelandQCI project.
Dillon recently departed Walton Institute to join Mastercard Ireland, as a Quantum Scientist. As part of his new role Dillon recently hopped back on-board the IrelandQCI Quantum & Answers Trailer held at the Mastercard head office in Dublin, where IrelandQCI were invited to collaborate during a ‘Discovering Quantum’ event – another full circle moment, this time for Dillon!
Of his early career experience at Walton Institute, Jimí said: ‘’During my time at Walton, I was able to learn many valuable skills and develop a thorough understanding of quantum communications networks that has enabled me to advance my career. Working on the IrelandQCI project allowed me to gain a great insight into the work being done not only in Ireland, but across Europe, in the area of quantum communication as well as the enthusiasm behind this emerging industry. Walton allowed me to develop into a better scientist and opened many new opportunities to me.’’
Reflecting on his time as an intern at Walton Institute, Dillon said: ‘’I thoroughly enjoyed my time working on the IrelandQCI project at the Walton Institute in Waterford. Over the course of my time there, I gained a deep understanding of quantum communication, not only from a theoretical perspective but also through hands-on experience with quantum technologies in the lab, which helped shape me into a more well-rounded scientist. Walton was a warm and supportive environment, home to many exciting projects and consistently at the cutting edge of quantum research.’’
Dr. Deirdre Kilbane, Director of Research at Walton Institute, and Project Lead for IrelandQCI, commented ‘’We are extremely proud of both Jimí and Dillon for progressing to excellent appointments in industry after their time spent with us at Walton. Both brought a strong foundation of knowledge in physics following their studies, however they displayed a good work-ethic, were keen to learn and willing to be team-players, which are attributes we welcome at Walton Institute. We look forward to continuing to cross paths with both Jimí at Single Quantum and Dillon at Mastercard in the future, and to seeing where their careers take them. We are delighted that Walton Institute played a part in developing their skillsets at this fundamental stage at the outset of their careers.’’
Walton Institute at SETU is excited to welcome talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to work within the challenging world of ICT research and innovation.
We are currently recruiting for several postdoctoral positions in Quantum:
– 2 postdoctoral positions – Quantum Communications
– 1 postdoctoral position – Quantum Networks
– 1 postdoctoral position – Digital Twin
Closing date for applications: 11th February 2026.
For further information and to apply visit: www.setu.ie/vacancies