Senior quantum information scientist

Description

Join the Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC) team within Quandela's Scalable Architecture division, where theoretical research is developed in interaction with experimental and engineering teams to advance scalable photonic quantum computing.

Quandela operates across several international sites, with research and engineering teams based in Paris, Munich, Montreal, and Barcelona, enabling close interactions between theory, experiments, and system-level engineering.

As a Senior Quantum Error Correction Researcher, you will shape the development of Quandela's fault-tolerant quantum computing architecture.
Your work will directly influence our long-term roadmap and contribute to the robustness and scalability of our photonic quantum hardware.

Why Join Quandela?

Quandela is a deep-tech quantum company with strong academic roots (CNRS/C2N) and a mission to develop large-scale quantum computers. While Paris-Saclay remains a central hub for FTQC activities, the company relies on close coordination across multiple locations to bridge theory, hardware, and software.

Our R&D spans the full quantum computing stack, from quantum device fabrication to system-level control and quantum software. This setup offers a direct opportunity to see theoretical ideas tested, challenged, and implemented on real systems, through frequent scientific exchanges across teams and sites.

In this role, you will contribute to key milestones of our FTQC roadmap, working closely with Quandela's research and engineering teams and an extended network of academic partners (INRIA Paris, LIP6 – Sorbonne Université, INRIA Saclay, Institut de Mathématiques de Bordeaux…).

Depending on your base location, you will regularly collaborate with Paris-based FTQC teams and travel occasionally to Paris to support cross-team alignment and joint research efforts.

What You'll Do:

You will lead the design and performance analysis of fault-tolerant protocols adapted to our spin-photon systems. Your contributions will support both near-term experiments and long-term system scaling.

Initial scope includes:

• Provide guidance on QEC codes: oversee the simulation and analysis of stabilizer, dynamical, and good qLDPC code families under realistic device constraints.
• Improve FTQC strategies: Develop fault-tolerant protocols suited to Quandela's hardware and error model.
• Benchmark decoders: Design custom decoding methods and guide integration based on speed vs accuracy tradeoffs.
• Collaborate across domains: Work closely with hardware and software teams to model errors, improve simulations, and design QEC experiments.
  

At Quandela, your research will influence prototypes, inform system architecture, and directly support our FTQC roadmap. Because our work is embedded in a strong academic ecosystem, your contributions will also resonate through publications, conference talks, and international collaborations.

Requirements

Ideal Profile:

This position is well-suited for a scientist who combines deep theoretical training with a desire to see ideas translated into real, scalable platforms.

• PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field, with a specialisation in Quantum Error Correction.
• 5+ years of post-doctoral research experience, in academia or industry.
• Solid experience with simulation tools (e.g. STIM, decoder implementations).
• Track record of scientific publications in QEC/FTQC.
• Fluent in English (French is optional, not required).
• Willingness to collaborate across sites and engage with Paris based teams when needed.
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• Familiarity with photonic architectures is appreciated.

Benefits

• Flexible hours and remote working
• 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 candidate 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)

NB — Location & compensation:
This position is open beyond Paris and can currently be based in Munich, Barcelona, or Montreal. Full remote is not available, as close interaction with local teams is an important part of the role. For candidates based outside Paris, regular collaboration with the Paris-based FTQC teams is expected, including monthly or quarterly visits to Paris. Compensation & Benefits will be aligned with local market conditions and adjusted accordingly.

Beyond That:
At Quandela, we value intellectual diversity, curiosity, and initiative. If you're passionate about QEC and see yourself contributing - even if you don't meet every listed requirement - we'd love to hear from you. If you're driven by challenge and inspired by the future of quantum computing, let's talk.