QFIRS developed over time through several structured doctoral and early-career researcher (ECR) programs. The educational concept and supervision style underlying today’s QFIRS activities were initially developed within the International Max Planck Research School on Gravitational-Wave Astronomy (IMPRS on GW). These concepts were subsequently expanded and adapted within the Collaborative Research Centres (SFBs) geo-Q and TerraQ, which broadened the scope of joint training and interdisciplinary supervision. QFIRS builds on and integrates these earlier structures and experiences. Following the successful continuation of the Cluster of Excellence QuantumFrontiers into its second funding phase, QFIRS will continue to evolve as the central framework for structured education and training of Early Career Researchers.

This page therefore documents both the current structure and its historical development.

The current structure evolved over several phases, reflecting the development and expansion of joint educational concepts and supervision models in gravitational-wave and quantum science in Hannover.

During the funding period 2026–2032, QFIRS (QuantumFrontiers International Research School (QFIRS)) serves as the central framework for structured education of Early Career Researchers within QuantumFrontiers. While operating independently following the conclusion of IMPRS-GW and SFB TerraQ, QFIRS maintains collaborations with partner institutions and related research schools. Future developments will depend on the establishment of new structured research programs.

QFIRS worked jointly with the TerraQ Research Training Group (RTG)(TerraQ Research Training Group (TerraQ RTG)). This joint educational concept was facilitated by the fact that the Chief Study Officer of QFIRS was also a Principal Investigator of the TerraQ RTG, enabling close coordination of curricula and training activities.

Educational activities were jointly coordinated by QFIRS and the TerraQ Research Training Group (RTG). This coordination was facilitated by overlapping responsibilities, with the Chief Study Officer of QFIRS also serving as a Principal Investigator of the TerraQ RTG, and the education manager of IMPRS contributing to the organization of training formats, allowing for aligned curricula.

During this period, a joint educational concept was implemented by IMPRS-GW and the geo-Q Research Training Group (RTG). This coordination was facilitated by the fact that the Chief Study Officer later associated with QFIRS also served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of geo-Q, enabling close alignment of RTG-related training activities.

The IMPRS on Gravitational-Wave Astronomy (2006–2013) was among the first structured doctoral programs in Germany, jointly organized by the AEI Hannover and Potsdam, Leibniz Universität Hannover, and the Laser Zentrum Hannover. It provided comprehensive training across all aspects of gravitational physics—from laser and interferometer technology to quantum optics, data analysis, and numerical simulations—representing an unprecedented integration of multiple disciplines and institutions.

• All Early Career Researchers of QuantumFrontiers are members of QFIRS,
• PhD students at the AEI Hannover can be members of IMPRS

In addition, doctoral researchers and postdocs from other projects and schools can also be included in the programs.

The basic principle of the education for all our Early Career Researchers (ECRs) is that they should not only learn their own specialty but also get a basic knowledge of what all the others are doing in the QuantumFrontiers and a set of general skills that are vital for their future. We realize this with the three pillars:

1. Specialized lectures offered regularly at Leibniz Universität Hannover
2. QFIRS national and international Lecture Weeks
3. Transferable Skills Training and other seminars

In addition, we will provide information on other educational events for early career researchers.

If you have a question, please contact your Chief Study Officer.

Fumiko Kawazoe.