AMO Physicist - W/M

Pasqal; Palaiseau; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Office in Massy

Hybrid work 3 days per week

CDI contract

International team

Conferences and training

Job summary

Pasqal in Massy near Paris is seeking a PhD-level scientist for the Hardware Processing team to advance processing operations on neutral-atom QPUs, from state preparation to control and entangling operations.

You will design and execute benchmarking experiments, develop models, mitigate errors, and contribute to QEC protocol implementations, while collaborating with theory and experimental groups.

Qualifications

• PhD required in AMO/quantum physics.
• Strong data analysis and Python skills.
• Experience with neutral-atom platforms.
• Ability to lead experiments and benchmarking.

Responsibilities

• Experimental characterization and optimization of processing operations.
• Design and run benchmarking experiments to quantify performance.
• Develop numerical models to interpret results and guide optimization.
• Identify dominant error sources and drive mitigation actions.
• Support circuit-level execution and QEC protocol implementations.
• Validate new hardware features with test plans and evaluations.
• Write technical reports and scientific articles.
• Represent Pasqal at conferences and workshops.

Skills

PhD in AMO

Quantum control

Python programming

Benchmarking protocols

Education

PhD in AMO/quantum physics/experimental physics

Job description

About Pasqal

Pasqal designs and develops Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) and associated software tools.

Our innovative technology enables us to address use cases that are currently beyond the reach of the most powerful supercomputers; these cases can concern industrial application challenges as well as fundamental science needs.

In addition to the exceptional computing power they provide, QPUs are highly energy efficient and will contribute to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of the HPC industry.

Job Description

Within the Hardware department, the Processing team develops and validates the physical operations executed during the processing/computation phase of Pasqal’s neutral-atom QPUs (from state preparation to control and entangling operations). The team brings together a mix of experimental and theoretical/numerical profiles, ensuring continuous alignment between modeling work and experimental reality. We are looking for a profile at the theory-experiment interface who will be strongly involved in the characterization and optimization of processing operations, while also supporting circuit-level execution (e.g., dynamical decoupling, implementation of QEC protocols).

Responsibilities

• Experimental characterization & optimization: Implement, characterize, and optimize processing operations (state preparation, gates, dynamical decoupling, coherent transport).
• Benchmarking experiments: Design and run benchmarking experiments (e.g., randomized benchmarking and related protocols) to quantify performance, robustness, and limitations.
• Modeling & simulation: Develop and use numerical models to interpret experimental results, predict performance, and guide the optimization of processing operations.
• Error identification & mitigation: Identify dominant experimental error sources (e.g., laser noise, motional effects, crosstalk, loss) and drive mitigation actions with relevant hardware and software stakeholders.
• Circuit-level execution: Support circuit-level execution, including gate scheduling, dynamical decoupling strategies, error accumulation analysis, and the implementation/benchmarking of QEC protocols.
• Hardware feature validation: Contribute to the validation of new hardware features by defining test plans, running experimental evaluations, and quantifying their impact on processing performance.
• Documentation and communication: Write reports, technical documents, and scientific articles.
• Intellectual property: Contribute to the identification and protection of patentable technical ideas.
• External representation: Represent the company at international conferences, workshops, and industry events.

About You

• PhD in AMO / quantum physics / experimental physics.
• Solid understanding of neutral-atom platforms (trapping, cooling, lasers, noise sources) and their impact on operation fidelity.
• Proven experience implementing and debugging experimental sequences for quantum control (state preparation, single-/two-qubit operations, ...).
• Strong data analysis and scientific programming skills (Python)
• Experience designing/using benchmarking protocols (e.g., randomized benchmarking, calibration/characterization experiments).
• Experience driving small to mid-scale technical projects (planning, prioritization, delivery).
• High level of autonomy and rigor.
• Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (theory, experimental physics, ...).
• Strong communication & listening skills.
• Ability to prioritize and deliver in a fast-paced environment.
• Good level of written and spoken English.

What We Offer

• Beautiful modern offices in Massy
• A flexible rhythm of face-to-face work (minimum 3 days per week)
• Type of contract : CDI
• A dynamic and close-knit international team
• A key role in a growing start-up
• Free time to train and go to conferences/meetups

Recruitment Process

• An interview with our talent acquisition of 30'.
• An exchange with the Hiring manager
• A meeting with the team in our offices
• An offer !

PASQAL is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, as inclusion and diversity are essential to achieving our mission. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, religion or sexual orientation.

Join Pasqal and be part of something extraordinary.

By joining Pasqal, you’ll have the opportunity to play an active role in the rapid growth of a pioneering DeepTech scale-up at the forefront of the second quantum revolution.

You’ll be directly involved in one of the greatest technological challenges of our time—one that is set to shape the technological landscape of the 21st century.

Working alongside world-class scientists and engineers, you’ll compete head-to-head with leading global players while pushing the boundaries of quantum innovation.