Dr. Jawaher Almutlaq is an Ibn Rushd assistant professor in the Materials Science and Applied Physics (MSAP) Program at KAUST, where she leads the Quantum Photonics Lab. After earning her Ph.D. from KAUST, she worked as an Ibn Khaldun Postdoctoral Fellow in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) as part of a quantum photonics and artificial intelligence group. Her research in engineering novel platforms for quantum materials and technologies and advanced electron microscopy methods has been featured in top-tier journals such as Nature, Nature Nanotechnology and Nature Communications, and her contributions have given rise to many prestigious scholarships and awards. Dr. Almutlaq is passionate about building national capacity in quantum technologies. She is particularly committed to establishing a robust quantum research and innovation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, including laying the foundation for a future quantum communication network across the Kingdom.​

Professor Almutlaq’s research focuses on advancing quantum sensing and communication by integrating single-photon emitters and spin-photon interfaces with photonic and electronic platforms. As the head of the Quantum Photonics Lab (QPL), she develops scalable quantum systems by designing and fabricating cryo-compatible CMOS and photonic integrated circuits(PICs) for heterogeneous device integration. She explores new methodologies for incorporating quantum microchiplets (QMCs) into foundry-compatible platforms, enabling automation and high-throughput quantum measurements. By combining advanced nanofabrication, cryogenic spectroscopy and system-level integration, her work contributes to scalable quantum technologies for next-generation quantum networking and sensing applications.​