Rate My Professor Jason Twamley

Professor Jason Twamley served as Chair Professor of Quantum Information Science in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Macquarie University from 2005 to 2020. He earned a BA (Mod) in Theoretical Physics from Trinity College Dublin in 1986 and a PhD in Quantum Cosmology from the University of Alberta, Canada, in 1991. After his PhD, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Auckland from 1995 to 1997, researching Bose-Einstein condensation, followed by a research fellowship at the University of Innsbruck from 1997 to 2000 on quantum information processing and quantum optics. Prior to Macquarie, he held positions as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland from 2000 to 2005, focusing on quantum information science and technology. At Macquarie University, he became an Honorary Professor in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences and contributed to major initiatives including directing the Macquarie University Research Centre for Quantum Science and Technology (QSciTech) from 2008 to 2015, managing the Quantum Algorithms Programme of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology from 2005 to 2010, and serving as Node Manager for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems from 2011 to 2015.

Professor Twamley's research specializes in the theoretical physics of quantum science and technology, with emphasis on hybrid quantum systems, quantum sensors such as magnetometers and inertial sensors, and quantum magneto-mechanics for levitating and trapping quantum objects using magnetic fields. He maintains strong collaborations with leading groups in Germany, France, and China. Key publications include "Room-temperature coherent coupling of single spins in diamond" (Nature Physics, 2006), "Quantum register based on coupled electron spins in a room-temperature solid" (Nature Physics, 2010), "Observation and control of blinking nitrogen-vacancy centres in discrete nanodiamonds" (Nature Nanotechnology, 2010), "Two-photon quantum walks in an elliptical direct-write waveguide array" (New Journal of Physics, 2011), and "A magnetically levitated conducting rotor with ultra-low rotational damping circumventing eddy loss" (Communications Physics, 2025). His awards include a Fulbright Fellowship in 1987, a European Commission Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship from 1996 to 1997, and a Max Planck Guest Professorship in 2012. He trained 9 PhD students, 4 MSc students, 5 Honours students, and 2 MRes students, and served on evaluation panels for the Australian Research Council and EPSRC UK National Quantum Technology Hubs.