| 1973-1979 | Studies of Physics, University of Mainz, Diploma 1979 |
| 1979-1981 | Dissertation in physics, University of Mainz |
| 1981-1982 | Research Associate, University of Mainz (w/ Prof. G. Werth) |
| 1982-1983 | Research fellowship, DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, JILA Joint Institute of Laboratory Astrophysics, Boulder, CO, USA (Dr. J. L. Hall) |
| 1983-1984 | Research Associate, Freie Universität Berlin (w/ Prof. E. Matthias) |
| 1984-1987 | Research Associate, University of Hamburg (w/ Prof. P. Toschek) |
| 1988 | Habilitation thesis; Lecturer, University of Hamburg |
| 1989-1994 | Heisenberg fellow, University of Hamburg |
| 1991-1994 | Researcher, JILA Joint Institute of Laboratory Astrophysics, Boulder, CO, USA |
| 1994-1995 | Professor of Physics, 3. Physikalisches Institut, University of Göttingen |
| since 1995 | Full Professor of Physics, University of Innsbruck |
| 2000-2013 | Director, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Innsbruck |
| since 2000 | CEO, Institut für Quanteninformation Ges.m.b.H, Innsbruck |
| since 2001 | Member, Academic Senate, University of Innsbruck |
| since 2003 | Scientific Director, IQOQI Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna |
| 2003-2009 | Managing Director of the IQOQI Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna |
| 2003-2008 | Corresponding Member, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna |
| since 2008 | Full Member, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna |
| since 2015 | Managing Director, IQOQI Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna |
| 1985-1990 | BA, Music (classic guitar), Trento |
| 1988-1994 | M. Sc., Physics, University of Padua |
| 1994-1998 | Ph.D., Physics, University of Ferrara |
| 1998-2002 | Post-doctoral fellow, University of Innsbruck |
| 2002 | Post-doctoral fellow, ECT European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas, Trento |
| 2002-2003 | Guest researcher, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD |
| 2003-2004 | Research assistant, University of Innsbruck |
| 2004 | Post-doctoral fellow, ECT European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas, Trento |
| 2004-2005 | Researcher, Centro BEC-INFM, Trento |
| 2005-2007 | Senior researcher (Tenure-Track), Centro BEC-INFM, Trento |
| Post-doctoral employee, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA |
| since 2007 | Full Professor (W3), Quantum Information Processing, university of Ulm |
| since 2011 | Director, Institute for Quantum Information Processing, University of Ulm |
| since 2014 | Director, Centre for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universities of Ulm and Stuttgart; Max-Planck Institute for Solid-State Research |
| Director, Institute for Complex Quantum Systems, University of Ulm |
| 1991-1996 | Studies of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg |
| 1996 | Summer Internship, Hewlett-Packard Research Laboratory, Palo Alto, CA |
| 1997-1998 | Diploma thesis work, IBM Research, Zurich |
| 1998 | Diploma degree, Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg |
| 1998-2001 | Ph.D. work, IBM Research, Zurich |
| 2002 | Ph.D. degree, Dr.rer.nat., University of Bayreuth |
| 2002-2003 | Postdoc, IBM Research, Zurich |
| 2003-2008 | Research Staff Member, IBM Research, Zurich |
| 2008-2016 | Manager, Materials Integration and Nanoscale Devices Group, IBM Research, Zurich |
| since 2013 | IBM Fellow, Technical Executive; Member, IBM Academy of Technology, IBM Research, Zurich |
| 2015-2017 | Director, Physical Sciences, IBM Research, IBM T.J. Watson Research Laboratory, Armonk, NY |
| since 2017 | Director, IoT Technology & Solutions, IBM Research, IBM T.J. Watson Research Laboratory, Armonk, NY |
| Executive Director, IBM Research Frontiers Institute, IBM Research, Zurich |
| | Director-General of DG Research and Innovation (RTD) at the European Commission. In this capacity he is responsible for defining and implementing the EU policy and programmes in the field of research and innovation (average annual budget 8 billion euro). |
| 2014-2020 | One of the main architects and negotiators of Horizon 2020, the new 80 billion EU programme for science and innovation. |
| | Instrumental in the development of several other policy initiatives in the field of European science and innovation such as: the European Research Council (ERC), the European Roadmap for large scale facilities, Public-Private Partnerships in research, the Innovation Union and the European Research Area (ERA). |
| | Mr Smits is chairing several high-level committees such as European Research Area Committee (ERAC), the Steering Committee of the ERC (ERCEA) and joint S&T committees with Europe's key global partners. |
| | Mr Smits was born in The Netherlands. He has degrees from Utrecht University in The Netherlands, Institut Universitaire d'Hautes Études Internationales in Switzerland and Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy in the United States of America. |
| 2007-2013 | Rector, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa |
| 2013 | Member, Italian Parliament, Rome |
| 2013-2014 | Italian Minister for Education and Research |
| since 2015 | Member, Board of Directors, Piaggio & C. S.p.a., Pontedera |
| since 2016 | President, Italian National Group of Bioengineering, Trieste |
| 2016-2017 | Chair, Evaluation of FET Flagships Program, European Commission, DG Communication Networks, Brussels |
| since 2017 | Coordinator, Biorobotics Institute, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa |
