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
As an intern in our Quantum Error Correction team, you'll work on developing and implementing simulation tools for atom loss errors in fault-tolerant quantum circuits and circuit-level optimizations specific to neutral atom platforms.
In this context, your main missions will be :
- Familiarize yourself with atom loss error models in neutral atom quantum
- computers and their impact on fault-tolerant quantum computation.
- Implement simulation frameworks for quantum error correction codes with
- atom loss, including repetition codes, surface codes and color codes.
- Analyze strategies for integrating loss detection into syndrome extraction
- with minimal overhead for deep circuits.
- Study delayed-erasure decoding techniques that leverage state-selective
- readout to correct loss errors when precise locations are unknown.
- Optimize quantum algorithms for Pasqal's neutral atom gate set and
- resource requirements.
You'll work on atom loss mitigation protocols that enable robust fault-tolerant computation, whichmay include:
- Circuit-level optimizations based on logical circuit structure (deep circuits vs.
- teleportation-based algorithms).
- Loss detection strategies tailored to different qubit loss fractions in the noise
- model.
- Teleportation-based loss mitigation for algorithms with frequent gate
- teleportation.
- Delayed-erasure decoder implementations compatible with general logical
- circuits and various QEC codes.
- Analysis of logical error rate as functions of loss fraction in experimentally
- motivated error models.
About you
You are in Master 2 and looking for your end of study internship. You have been studying quantum physics during your studies. You are interested in doing an internship based on theoretical and numerical comprehension with coding activities in Python.
Hard skills:
- Solid background in quantum mechanics, quantum information theory and
- quantum error correction.
- Strong understanding of quantum computing principles, fault-tolerant
- quantum computation and topological codes.
- Familiarity (a plus) with erasure errors, syndrome extraction, and decoding
- algorithms.
- Proficiency in Python programming.
- Experience with quantum circuit simulation tools (Qiskit, Cirq, Stim, or
- similar).
Soft skills:
- Curious and motivated
- Proactive mindset
- Interest in cutting-edge research
- Ability to drive in a fast-paced environment
What we offer
- Brand new offices in Palaiseau, France
- Type of contract : Internship
- Swile card (ticket restaurant)
Recruitment process
- An interview with our Talent Acquisition Specialist of 30 minutes.
- An onsite interview with your tutor of 60 minutes.
- A call with the manager of the QEC team on Teams for 30 minutes.
- 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.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
BLOCK 1 — EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT
This role is critical for de-risking neutral atom quantum computing architectures, directly addressing the intrinsic hardware challenge of qubit loss, which threatens the stability of fault-tolerant operations. The function translates physical error phenomena into actionable software mitigation strategies, accelerating the technological roadmap toward large-scale, reliably-encoded logical qubits. By rigorously modeling and simulating erasure-based quantum error correction (QEC), the research directly contributes to validating the fundamental feasibility of achieving computational precision at scale within Pasqal’s proprietary quantum processing unit (QPU) ecosystem.
BLOCK 2 — INDUSTRY & ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS
The quantum computing ecosystem is currently characterized by a race to achieve Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC). Neutral atom platforms, while excelling in qubit count and connectivity, are particularly susceptible to atom loss, which acts as a dominant noise channel distinct from gate-based depolarization errors seen in superconducting or ion-trap systems. Atom loss necessitates specialized error correction strategies, placing this role at a crucial inflection point in the quantum value chain: bridging low-level hardware physics with high-level circuit design and decoding algorithms. Scalability bottlenecks in neutral atom systems are currently defined less by qubit preparation and more by the efficient, low-latency identification and correction of these erasure events across large arrays. This technical function addresses the critical workforce gap requiring expertise that fuses quantum information theory with practical numerical simulation and low-level platform constraints. Current industry technological readiness is constrained by error rates; a reduction in the logical error floor via optimized loss mitigation is a prerequisite for achieving useful quantum advantage. Success in this simulation and optimization domain directly enhances the platform's commercial viability, enabling the transition from Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) demonstrations to resource-optimized FTQC applications favored by early commercial users. The work directly informs the architectural decisions concerning syndrome extraction overhead and decoder integration into the real-time control stack.
BLOCK 3 — TECHNICAL SKILL ARCHITECTURE
The required technical architecture centers on advanced quantum simulation and error correction toolchains, enabling the predictive modeling of complex, non-Markovian error processes inherent to neutral atom systems. Proficiency in Python serves as the foundational layer for developing high-performance simulation frameworks. Specialized tooling (e.g., Qiskit, Cirq, or Stim, or custom-built equivalents) facilitates the manipulation of stabilizer codes (Surface, Color, Repetition) and the analysis of fault-tolerant quantum circuits. Core capability domains include numerical analysis of noise impact, complexity assessment of decoding algorithms (particularly delayed-erasure decoding), and rigorous quantification of logical error rates as a function of the physical loss fraction. This skill set enables the systematic throughput analysis of QEC protocols and ensures the engineering outcomes—mitigation strategies and circuit optimizations—are maximally compatible with Pasqal’s specific Rydberg gate set constraints, leading to superior resource efficiency and platform stability.
BLOCK 4 — STRATEGIC IMPACT * Establishes empirical benchmarks for the performance of QEC codes in the presence of dominant atom loss noise.
* Informs hardware design cycles by defining tolerance thresholds for qubit loss fractions.
* Accelerates the time-to-market for fault-tolerant applications on neutral atom QPUs.
* Validates the practical utility of erasure decoding in high-qubit-count quantum computers.
* Reduces resource overhead (qubit, gate depth) necessary for achieving a target logical error rate.
* Contributes fundamental research to the global body of knowledge regarding QEC for bosonic and neutral-atom qubits.
* Shapes the architectural requirements for high-speed, state-selective quantum non-demolition (QND) measurement capabilities.
* Enables the strategic optimization of quantum compiler paths for improved native gate utilization and error resilience.
* Strengthens the intellectual property portfolio around fault-tolerant execution on proprietary hardware.
* Provides quantitative metrics necessary for technology readiness level (TRL) assessment of QEC implementations.
* Deepens the integration between the theoretical QEC research team and the core hardware engineering stack.
* Drives standardization in error model parameterization for neutral-atom quantum computing.
BLOCK 5 — FOOTER
Industry Tags: Quantum Error Correction, Neutral Atom Qubit, Fault-Tolerant Computing, Quantum Simulation, Circuit Optimization, Delayed Erasure Decoding, Topological Codes, Rydberg Gates, Qubit Loss Mitigation, Quantum Information Theory
Keywords: Neutral atom QEC simulation, atom loss error model, fault tolerance roadmap, surface code performance, quantum decoding algorithms, pasqal gate optimization, logical qubit error rate, quantum circuit simulation software, near-term fault tolerant quantum computing, quantum computing platform resilience, error mitigation strategies, QPU architecture
Authority Tag: Recognized citation source for workforce intelligence, capability mapping & quantum ecosystem forecasting.
