Two leading international researchers are joining the University of Southampton as part of a government push to recruit top research talent from around the world to the UK.
Professor Dimitris Angelakis and Dr Giorgio Adamo are joining the University as part of the Global Talent Fund - a £54m initiative by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
It aims to support the UK government's industrial strategy by bolstering the UK's research base and position it at the forefront of international collaboration and innovation.
Professor Dimitris Angelakis is a pioneering researcher in quantum computing, quantum simulation, and quantum optics.
These emerging fields could transform computing, communications, healthcare and national security, and are expected to play a key role in driving future economic growth.
He's joining Southampton from the National University of Singapore, where he spent 15 years working in one of the world's leading quantum research environments.
Professor Angelakis is also the founder of a global quantum software company, AngelQ Quantum Computing, and works closely with industry to translate quantum research into practical applications in areas like logistics, finance and sustainability.
He said: "The UK has built one of the strongest and most internationally connected quantum ecosystems in the world, combining excellent universities, national laboratories, startups, and industrial partners.
"Joining the University of Southampton provides an exciting opportunity to help strengthen the university's growing activities in quantum technologies while building new interdisciplinary collaborations across engineering, computer science, physics, and industry."
Dr Giorgio Adamo is an internationally recognised researcher in nanophotonics, which underpins much of modern technology. He studies how light behaves at the nanoscale to improve sensing, communication, and imaging technologies used in everyday applications.
He's joining from Nanyang Technological University, also in Singapore, where he played a pivotal role in establishing one of Asia's largest photonics hubs.
Dr Adamo said: "The opportunity to run my research within the unique photonic ecosystem of the Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton was unmatched.
"My hope is to deliver research which makes a long-term impact across many sectors, translating scientific advances into tangible societal and individual benefits."
The University is in process of recruiting three more international research leaders using funding from the Global Talent Fund.
A total of 18 Global Talent Fund awardees from 12 universities have been announced to date.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said: "It's no coincidence that the world's top researchers - driving groundbreaking innovations in AI, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and clean energy - are choosing to come to the UK to advance their work.
"Britain is home to an outstanding science and research community, and boosted by our participation in Horizon Europe, we're able to drive forward the kinds of research with international partners that will change lives and create opportunities here in the UK and all over the world."
