AMO Physicist - W/M

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.