Quantum Algorithm Resource Estimation Intern (H1/2027)

About Quandela

Quandela stands as a global leader in quantum computing, driven by groundbreaking technology and a strategic vision for scaling quantum computing. The company’s unique ability to offer both hardware and software solutions, along with its commitment to build energy efficient datacenters and scalability, positions it to play a key role in the next wave of innovation, and in many strategic and sovereign industrial sectors.

Join us at the forefront of quantum computing innovation

Description of the Team/Project

Could a nitrogenase-inspired catalyst enable more sustainable ammonia production? Could RSA-2048 be decrypted by 2032? Answering questions such as these requires careful quantum resource estimation: determining the hardware resources needed to run a given algorithm on Quandela’s spin-optical quantum computer.

During this internship, your main objective will be to perform a thorough resource estimation, including detailed compilation, for a commercially relevant problem. You will estimate the required quantum hardware resources, including component counts and QPU size.

You will join Quandela’s AI, Algorithms and Applications (AIps-AI) team. The team develops fault-tolerant algorithms and estimates the resources required for running them on large-scale quantum computers, uses AI to develop software tools and improve QPU performance, runs near-term quantum machine-learning algorithms on real devices, and supports customers with application development.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Develop knowledge of fault-tolerant quantum computing, quantum algorithms for chemistry and/or optimisation, quantum error correction, and, where needed, quantum compilation.
• Build a deep understanding of a quantum-chemistry or quantum optimisation algorithm (more details regarding the algorithm to be defined), and break it down into its constituent subroutines.
• Review the literature on existing resource-estimation approaches for the selected algorithm.
• Adapt the resource-estimation methodology to Quandela’s bi-planar SPOQC architecture for a specified quantum error-correction code.
• Integrate the implementation into Quandela's tools and evaluate resource requirements across a range of problem-instance sizes.

Requirements

Education & Background

• MSc student in Quantum Information Science, Quantum Computing, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field.

Technical Skills

We do not expect you to master all these topics. This internship is designed to be a deep dive into fault-tolerant architectures and advanced quantum algorithms, and you will actively develop these skills during your project. Any prior experience to the following areas is a strong plus, but not strictly required:

• Basic knowledge of quantum error-correction codes, such as the surface code and/or the honeycomb Floquet code.
• Understanding of fault-tolerant quantum computing, including lattice surgery and pipe diagrams.
• Familiarity with quantum algorithms for chemistry, optimisation and material science including quantum phase estimation, quantum singular value transformation, quantum signal processing, Trotterization, quantum approximation optimization algorithm (QAOA) or quantum gibbs sampling.
• Basic knowledge of quantum compilation techniques, such as rotation synthesis and ZX-diagrams.
• Familiarity with tools like CUDA-Q Logical, Microsoft Azure Quantum Resource Estimator, Qualtran, Stim, and TQEC.

Languages

• Fluent English, written and spoken, is required.

Benefits

• Swile Card (meal vouchers)
• 50% participation in transportation costs
• Possibility of remote work
• Internship Allowance between €1,200 and €1,400 per month
• 1,5 days off per month, cumulative

What we also offer

A challenging and innovative work environment at the heart of quantum computing.

A diverse and collaborative company culture.

Opportunities for professional growth and skill development.

At Quandela, we believe that the strength of our team is the plurality of experiences, perspectives, and journeys. We are committed to building a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment. All applications are welcome.