How to Apply

Who Should Apply?

QuantOmics is designed to be inclusive and accessible to highly qualified personnel from a wide range of disciplines. We welcome applicants from:

• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Physics and Applied Physics
• Computer Science and Data Science
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
• Molecular Genetics and Genomic Medicine
• Health Sciences (where quantitative training is present)

No prior knowledge across all three domains (quantum sensing, genomics, AI) is required. The program is specifically designed to build cross-disciplinary literacy from the ground up.

Already working with a QuantOmics faculty member? Students and postdoctoral fellows who are currently supervised by — or beginning a position with — a Co-Applicant or Collaborator are eligible and encouraged to apply to the program, provided their research aligns with one or more of the three QuantOmics research streams. Contact your supervisor or the program coordinator to initiate a nomination.

Training Levels

QuantOmics trains HQP at four levels:

The Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis aligned with each partner university’s graduate admissions cycle. The general process is:

1. Identify a Supervisor — Review the research team and reach out to a faculty member whose research aligns with your interests and background. Admission to QuantOmics requires a confirmed QuantOmics supervisor.

2. Apply to the University — Apply to the graduate program at your supervisor’s home institution following that university’s standard admissions process.

3. Indicate QuantOmics Interest — In your application, clearly indicate your interest in the QuantOmics CREATE program and your confirmed supervisor.

4. Nomination to the Program — Once admitted by the university, your supervisor nominates you to the QuantOmics Steering Committee for formal program enrollment.

5. Program Onboarding — Accepted trainees are onboarded through an orientation session and gain access to the QuantOmics collaboration portal, course materials, and mentorship trio assignment.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

QuantOmics is deeply committed to recruiting a diverse cohort. We actively work to dismantle two structural barriers:

1. Access-to-field barriers — lack of early exposure and culturally relevant mentorship
2. Retention bottlenecks — isolation, unconscious bias, and inequitable practices

Our recruitment practices include:

• Job ads and scholarship calls using unbiased language, circulated through targeted networks including the Black Professionals in Tech Network, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology, Women in Genomics, and Indigenous Student Services offices
• Multi-stage, anonymized screening processes to ensure fairness
• All Steering Committee members complete unconscious bias training before participating in applicant review
• Use of TMU’s Dimensions Charter bias-interruption tools and applicant-tracking dashboards

Target EDI outcomes:

• At least 40% of graduate trainees identifying as women or non-binary
• Active recruitment of trainees from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities
• At least 30% from groups underrepresented in STEM

Funding & Support

QuantOmics trainees receive a QuantOmics CREATE supplement from NSERC on top of their standard institutional stipend or supervisor funding. Annual supplement amounts per trainee are:

Note: The CREATE supplement is in addition to your institutional stipend and supervisor funding package. Each participating university provides further cash contributions to top up graduate trainee stipends. Total annual compensation for graduate trainees varies by institution and supervisor — discuss details with your prospective supervisor.

The supplement also covers:

• Travel to QuantOmics symposiums (Years 3 and 6) and co-located IEEE workshops (Years 2, 4, 5)
• Mobility placement costs (the top-up above covers relocation for internships and exchanges)
• Program-specific course costs and professional development events

Partner Universities

Applications can be made through any of the six partner institutions. Each institution has its own graduate admissions requirements:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I’m already enrolled in a graduate program? Yes. Students already enrolled at a partner university can be nominated to the QuantOmics program by a participating faculty member at any point. Contact the program coordinator for details.

Is there a separate QuantOmics application form? No. Admission is through the standard graduate admissions process at your chosen partner university, with supervisor nomination to the QuantOmics program afterward.

Can international students apply? Yes. International students are eligible and are encouraged to apply through the standard graduate admissions process at any partner institution.

What if I want to change streams after joining? QuantOmics is designed for cross-stream mobility. Trainees can, in consultation with their mentorship trio, take courses and pursue research projects in complementary streams. This is actively encouraged.

When are symposiums held? Major QuantOmics symposiums are held in Years 3 and 6 of the program. Co-located IEEE conference workshops are held in Years 2, 4, and 5.

Contact & More Information

For questions about the program, admissions, or partnership opportunities:

📧 Email: n77khan@torontomu.ca 📍 Address: Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3

We also welcome inquiries from prospective industry partners interested in hosting QuantOmics interns or providing research collaboration.