Kathrin Spendier leads a multimillion-dollar quantum competition

“What can physicists do? ” is an interview series that profiles physicists who opted for careers outside of academia.

What was your research focus?

I built superresolution microscopes for live-cell imaging and researched receptor motion on cell surfaces. I also did some reaction–diffusion theory.

What were you looking for in a job?

After a decade at the Colorado Springs campus of the University of Colorado, I gave up my tenured position in 2022. I felt I was not doing anything well: I had no time for my students, no time for administrative tasks. I looked for opportunities where I could still be connected to science but that would allow for better work–life balance.

How did you get into the quantum computing world?

I had to reframe my CV to highlight my skills, not my accomplishments. For industry, you have to show what you can do for a company. I got interviews in technical sales for microscopy and lasers and for educating the public about quantum computing. I took a job at Quantinuum, a quantum computing company. I was in outreach. I talked to students and managed the company’s sponsorship and operations of hackathons.

After two years, I moved to XPRIZE, where I manage the competition in quantum applications.

What do you like about managing the prize?

The XPRIZE competitions are intended to incentivize people to find solutions to societal problems—things like carbon removal, drug development, and clean water. I like that the aims are to help society. I talk to people with different backgrounds—theorists, chemists, people involved in funding. I talk to people at the cusp of expertise. I really like that about this job.

How do you use your physics in your job?

I work with judges and advisers to develop technical guidelines for the competition. I encourage research groups to compete. I have to be able to convey science to advisers and to potential donors. And I have to be able to understand the potential applications—competitors are trying to identify and solve problems for which quantum computers can outperform classical computers. Problem-solving and being able to see patterns are necessary and useful skills throughout.

Also see an extended interview with Kathrin Spendier that was published on 1 September 2025.