Research Engineer - Single-Photon Source Fabrication

Research Engineer - Single-Photon Source Fabrication

Quandela

Palaiseau, France

About this position:

We are seeking a Fabrication Engineer to join our Single-Photon Source Research Team, a multidisciplinary group of scientists and engineers working at the intersection of quantum dot emitters, photonic microcavities, advanced device fabrication, and characterisation.

The team focuses on enhancing the performance of our single-photon sources based on quantum-dots in micropillar cavities, with the goal of generating high-fidelity resource states for photonic quantum computing. By combining spin qubits with highly efficient light–matter interfaces, these devices form a key building block of Quandela’s hybrid spin-photon quantum computing architecture.

In this role, you will contribute to Quandela’s research road-map by advancing micropillar fabrication processes to improve device yield and performance, while also designing and developing next-generation devices. Your work will directly inform the research strategy for future production platforms and drive progress in the development of state-of-the-art single-photon sources.

Current challenges include increasing device brightness beyond the loss-tolerance thresholds required by quantum error-correcting codes, as well as substantially improving fabrication yield to produce large numbers of identical devices that emit mutually indistinguishable photons.

You must possess strong expertise in nano- and microfabrication processes (thin-film deposition, lithography, etching, etc.) and experience with the electrical and optical characterisation of devices. Success in this role depends on scientific rigor, exceptional attention to detail in device fabrication, and the ability to work effectively across teams with diverse technical backgrounds.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in the production of Quandela’s single-photon sources.
• Identify and improve fabrication steps impacting device performance.
• Conceptualise and test new designs for improved SPS brightness and indistinguishability.
• Implement a research road-map and ensure timely delivery of outcomes.
• Systematically document the results and report your findings (including patents, scientific publications and participation in international conferences).
• Collaborate with the production teams to transfer successful results.

Requirements

Ideal profile:

• Master degree or higher in a relevant topic.
• 3 years’ experience (including PhD) in a research laboratory.
• Strong fundamentals in nano- and microfabrication processing techniques.
• Understanding of optical microcavities and nano-photonics.
• Proven ability to build and run complex experiments from the ground up.
• Software coding using Python or other common languages.
• Team player with an ability to work effectively across multiple projects and departments.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain organized, frequent, and clear reporting.

Bonus points: experience in one or more of the following areas is highly appreciated:

• Quantum emitters
• Design and fabrication of cavity-based single-photon sources
• Advance characterisation of the optical and electrical properties of III-V semiconductor heterostructures
• Fabrication of VCSELS or other integrated laser devices