{
  "id": 684729,
  "title": "‘Absurd’: Government seeks quantum tech chief – no experience necessary",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/absurd-government-seeks-quantum-tech-chief-no-experience-necessary",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-12T16:08:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/absurd-government-seeks-quantum-tech-chief-no-experience-necessary/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK government is seeking a deputy head for the new Office for Quantum, a role that does not require any background in quantum technology despite overseeing billions of pounds in investment. The £69,675-a-year position, published on Tuesday, would oversee the rollout of the national quantum programme, help shape large-scale quantum computer purchases, and work with companies and investors to bring more funding into the sector. However, the role states that a background in quantum is not necessary to apply, and experience in science, technology, or industrial policy is only considered desirable. Critics argue that appointing a non-subject matter expert to manage such a critical role is \"absurd\" and could hinder the UK's ability to compete with countries like the US and China in the rapidly advancing field of quantum technology.",
  "summary": "The government is recruiting a senior official to oversee billions of pounds of quantum investment despite saying candidates do not need any background in the technology. A job advert for a deputy head of the Office for Quantum published on Tuesday says the successful candidate could oversee the rollout of the UK’s national quantum programme, [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}