Working at SERI: Loïc Fave

What do you do exactly?

I work as a scientific advisor in the Thematic oriented Research and Innovation unit. Specifically, I'm responsible for two support instruments: National Research Programmes (NRPs) and the Swiss Quantum Initiative (SQI). NRPs are a tool used by the Swiss Confederation to support coherent research projects that address socially relevant issues in Switzerland. The SQI was launched in early 2023 to provide targeted support for the strategic field of quantum science and technology.

What do you like about your work in particular?

I appreciate the opportunity to engage with a wide spectrum of research topics through the NRP instrument, which supports projects across all scientific disciplines. In parallel, the Swiss Quantum Initiative allows me to work in a domain that resonates with my background in materials science and physics. Lastly, I find the rich diversity of profiles at SERI to be highly stimulating.

What challenges do you expect in the near future?

In concrete terms, three main challenges will keep me busy over the next twelve months: advancing the NRP dossier, which involves substantial work in the near future; organising the upcoming ‘Multilateral Dialogue on Quantum’; and preparing a postulate report.