Quantum Optics Scientist - Spin-Based Quantum Systems

- About Quandela:

Quandela is a European deeptech scale-up developing modular, scalable and energy-efficient photonic and spin-optical quantum computers, accessible through the cloud and on-premises.

With over 140 employees, we develop our own hardware and software stack, from semiconductor quantum emitters and photonic processors to quantum control systems and algorithms.

Our ambition is to build large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers, combining quantum dot technologies, scalable spin-photon interfaces and distributed entanglement within future Spin-Optical Quantum Computing (SPOQC) architectures.

- About this position:

You will join Quandela's Semiconductor Optics Team, bringing together expertise in quantum optics, spin physics, semiconductor technologies and quantum information.

Your focus will be to develop and validate photon-mediated spin-spin entanglement protocols, improve spin coherence and operation fidelity, and advance optical control techniques for future hybrid quantum computing architectures.

We are looking for an experienced experimental scientist who can independently drive complex experimental activities, shape technical directions and translate scientific results into reliable technological building blocks, working closely with our research and engineering teams.

With several experimental building blocks still under development, you'll have room to shape technical choices, tackle open scientific challenges and directly influence our technology roadmap.

- What we're looking for

We are looking for an experienced experimental researcher combining strong scientific expertise, technical autonomy and the ability to drive complex research activities.

Must-have

• PhD in Spin Physics, Quantum Optics or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with spin-based quantum systems (control, readout or coherence measurements).
• Proven autonomy in designing, optimizing and troubleshooting complex quantum experiments.
• Strong understanding of quantum optics, spin coherence and experimental measurement techniques.
• Ability to lead scientific activities and make independent technical decisions.
• Comfortable collaborating across experimental, theory and engineering teams

Bonus points

• Experience bridging academic research and industrial R&D.
• Experience coordinating scientific projects or mentoring researchers.

Benefits

• Profit-sharing and a company savings plan.
• Public transport subscription covered at 50%.
• Annual sustainable mobility bonus for eco-friendly transport (e-bike, electric car).
• Fully covered health insurance (Alan).
• Referral program (€1,000 for a junior and €2,000 for an experienced candidate).
• Access to a nursery via choisir-ma-creche or contribution to childcare expenses.
• Subsidy for gym membership and sports activities (Gymlib).
• Meal subsidies (Swile).

Localisation of the position: Based at the IPVF campus in Palaiseau, within the Paris-Saclay research ecosystem.

Spin-based quantum experiments

• Design, develop and optimize optical experiments involving spin-photon sources.
• Implement optical control schemes for spin initialization, readout and manipulation.
• Characterize spin coherence, operation fidelity and entanglement quality.

Scientific and experimental ownership

• Independently drive experimental investigations, from design to validation.
• Structure and prioritize scientific activities, milestones and technical challenges.
• Troubleshoot complex experimental systems and propose technical improvements.
• Share expertise and support less experienced colleagues when relevant.

Technology development and integration

• Develop and validate photon-mediated spin-spin entanglement protocols.
• Collaborate with theory, electronics and semiconductor technology teams.
• Improve experimental robustness, reproducibility and system performance.
• Translate scientific results into demonstrators and technological building blocks for future multi-spin architectures.

- How You Will Grow:

During your first 3 months

You will become familiar with Quandela's experimental platforms and ongoing demonstrators, contributing your expertise to current technical challenges.

Within 6 months

You will drive dedicated experimental workstreams, contribute to key technical decisions and strengthen theory-to-experiment feedback loops.

Within 1 year

You will help shape the team's experimental direction, advance distributed entanglement demonstrations and contribute to future spin-based architectures.

Important, but you can grow here

• Photon-mediated entanglement protocols and multi-spin architectures.
• Semiconductor quantum emitters, quantum dots and spin-photon interfaces.
• Advanced optical control, cryogenic platforms and fast electronics.
• Experimental qualification, system integration and technology transfer.

- Career Stage & Team Contribution:

We primarily target candidates with a PhD and 4+ years of postdoctoral or equivalent R&D experience, combining scientific expertise with strong experimental autonomy.

Researchers completing a substantial postdoc are also welcome if they demonstrate scientific maturity, technical ownership and readiness for broader responsibilities.

People management experience is not required. What matters is your ability to drive scientific activities, tackle complex technical challenges and share your expertise with the team.

Process:

• Talent Acquisition Interview (30–45 min)
• Hiring Manager Interview (45–60 min)
• Technical discussion and presentation of previous research work
• Meeting with the team and scientific discussion
• Reference checks
• Offer

- Beyond That

At Quandela, you'll work on challenging scientific questions while helping turn experimental advances into technologies for future quantum computers.

Our spin-based platforms are still evolving, leaving room to explore new approaches, influence technical directions and take real ownership of experimental challenges.

If you're excited by the idea of combining ambitious quantum research with tangible technological impact, we'd love to hear from you, even if your background doesn't match every requirement.