16 February 2026

Recognizing Outstanding Supervision

The IMPRS-MCQST community is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 IMPRS-MCQST Supervision Award, recognizing exceptional commitment to guidance and support in doctoral and postdoctoral supervision. This award highlights the pivotal role that excellent supervision plays in shaping successful research careers and fostering an inclusive, supportive academic environment.

Survey and nominations from the community

Following an anonymous survey of doctoral candidates and postdocs across the IMPRS-QST and MCQST networks at the end of 2025, a selection panel composed of PhD and Postdoc Board representatives and members of the IMPRS-MCQST office selected two outstanding supervisors whose contributions have had a profound impact on their group members’ scientific and professional development. The award was announced at MCQST’s General Assembly on 4 February 2026, held at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching, with many members of the MCQST community in attendance.

Awardees for Excellent Supervision

Ignacio Cirac is Director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching, Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and co-Speaker of the MCQST cluster. He is an expert in quantum computation and its applications, with his research focusing on the quantum theory of information. Together with his collaborators, Ignacio Cirac introduced some of the earliest proposals for quantum computers, quantum simulators, and quantum repeaters based on atoms. He also developed the theory of tensor networks, which connects the entanglement structure of many-body quantum systems to their efficient description. Ignacio's approach to supervision is grounded in empathy — putting "myself in my students’ shoes and trying to act as I would have wished my own supervisors to act."

"This award means a great deal to me. I have always been very fortunate to work with not only excellent PhD students, but also truly wonderful people. One of the most rewarding aspects of supervision is seeing them grow from brilliant students into confident and talented researchers. Giving them the freedom to explore and shape their own ideas empowers them to pursue successful careers, whether in academia or in industry." says Ignacio Cirac.

Johannes Knolle is Professor of Theory of Quantum Matter and Nanophysics at TUM. His work specializes in condensed-matter physics, studying systems where quantum mechanics plays a central role. Together with his group, they explore complex behavior emerging from interactions in many-body systems, with a focus on uncovering universal principles and discovering unconventional quantum phases in correlated materials—work that advances both fundamental understanding and future quantum technologies.

"It is a privilege to mentor young researchers and to witness their transformation into independent scholars. Accompanying their growth is one of the best parts of academic life.” mentiones Prof. Knolle.

Voices from the Community

“A mentor whose exceptional scientific depth, unwavering support, and human-centered leadership create an inspiring, empowering, and truly outstanding supervision experience” – submitted with the nomination of Ignacio Cirac.

“An exemplary mentor whose rare combination of academic excellence, integrity, and genuine care inspires independence, collaboration, and a truly supportive research community” – submitted with the nomination of Johannes Knolle.

Congratulations to the awardees for their outstanding contributions to the academic community!