Interview: Tobias Thiele

How and when did you join Zurich Instruments?

I grew up in Zurich and studied physics at ETH Zurich. I carried out my master’s thesis project in atomic physics at Oxford University, and then did an internship at the California Institute of Technology. Following that, I obtained my PhD at ETH on a hybrid experiment with atoms and superconducting circuits. After my PhD, I worked as a postdoc at the Joint Institute of Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA, CU Boulder) on hybrid atomic/nano-photonic systems and metasurfaces, atomic quantum computing and magnetometry. All these different research projects now help me understand the needs of our customers.

I joined Zurich Instruments in November 2019 as an Application Scientist.
As I came directly from academia, this was a huge shift for me – but one definitely worth it. I wanted to come back to Europe from the USA, and I stumbled across a Zurich Instruments job advert on the European Quantum Flagship website. The reason I was interested in the opening was that the job description was a great fit, as it allowed me to apply my broad technical background to various fields; to me it seemed like a rare case where a postdoc in fundamental physics would be directly useful in an industry setting, and it was great for me to get a chance to continue working on quantum technologies, the field I like and know.

What does your job look like, and what is the most important aspect of it?

I am now Head of Product Management for Quantum Technologies at Zurich Instruments. In this role, I help shape the overall quantum strategy of the company and am responsible for its correct execution. This means I am involved not only in major strategic decisions and updates, but also actively take part in tactical decisions that affect our day-to-day business. I work to ensure that we are positioned well for both upcoming and future business opportunities in the field of quantum technologies. I oversee our evolving quantum offering, guiding the development of new products and ensuring that our existing products remain relevant and valuable for our customers. One aspect of the job I really enjoy is looking ahead - making predictions about how the quantum market and customer needs may evolve, testing these hypotheses, and then seeing them come to reality as the field advances.

My role requires close collaboration with all departments at Zurich Instruments: from Marketing and Sales, to Production, to R&D. Engaging with so many teams makes the job extremely diverse, which I love. Every day brings a fresh challenge to solve, and I am constantly learning new things. The opportunity to both define our long-term vision and respond to concrete daily challenges makes this a uniquely rewarding position. What I continue to appreciate is the freedom and independence I have in exploring what is best for the company, as well as the level of support and team spirit within the company. The willingness of everyone at Zurich Instruments to push ideas and projects forward truly allows us to excel together, especially in such a rapidly developing field like quantum.

What is the most memorable Zurich Instruments moment that stayed with you?

There have been many memorable moments during my time at Zurich Instruments. One particular aspect I always value is the interaction with our customers and visits in their labs. Live visits are always eye-opening: it’s then where you really feel the challenges our customers. Observing how a laboratory is organized, and seeing first-hand the specific problems researchers are tackling, tells you a lot - not only about the immediate issues at hand, but also about the potential future impact those researchers might have in the field. I also look back fondly at the early days, joining the Quantum Technologies team and being warmly welcomed, even during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsequent company gatherings and social events were especially memorable, like our yearly M&S gatherings and the company fondue evening, where the spirit and camaraderie of the team really shine through.

Ultimately, it’s the people at Zurich Instruments that stand out the most - no matter how challenging the work gets, the team’s motivation and collaborative mindset make ZI a fun place to work - every day. That shared spirit and drive is something I treasure, and it continues to be a significant reason why I feel my work here is both meaningful and enjoyable.

How do you spend your free time?

One of my pastime activities is playing the cello. I also enjoy spending time with my family, especially while exploring new outdoors places.