15 August 2023

Jan W. Thomsen joins NQCP as COO

Announcement

As of September 1st, Jan W. Thomsen will join The Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme as Chief Operating Officer.

Two men in a lab
Jan Westenkær Thomsen and Peter Krogstrup in a Lab at the Niels Bohr Institute. Photo: Ola J. Joensen.

As of September 1st, Jan W. Thomsen will join The Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme as COO. Jan is a Professor of Physics here at the Niels Bohr Institute, where he for the last 6 years has been Head of Department. Jan will now step down from this role to join NQCP where he will help direct and coordinate our efforts towards our mission.

Jan is a key driving force in establishing Denmark as a quantum nation, and Copenhagen as a global epicenter for Quantum research and innovation. He is involved in multiple Quantum initiatives and networks both in Denmark and internationally. Jan heads the Danish DIANA Quantum initiative, and chairs the Board of the Danish Quantum Community.

With his vast experience and deep domain expertise, Jan will be instrumental in developing NQCP into a leading global hub for Quantum Computing.

In addition to his COO role at NQCP, Jan acts as Quantum Coordinator for Copenhagen University and will undertake teaching and research responsibilities at NBI.

Jan’s responsibilities will include coordination across our programme as well as strategic external stakeholder management with collaborators, politicians, and other universities.

I’m very excited to be able to dedicate myself 100% to driving the Quantum agenda forward – and to do it as part of the NQCP team is a dream.

Jan W. Thomsen

Succeeding is always about having the right people on board, and I am certain that with Jan as part of the core NQCP team, we made a fantastic addition to our leaderteam – Jan is a visionary leader with unique experience and knowledge from building up the local Danish quantum ecosystem as well as being very well connected internationally. And then he is just great to work with!

Peter Krogstrup