PhD track Quantum Science and Technologies (QUANTIX)
| Program | PhD track in Quantum Science and Technologies |
| ECTS Credits | 120 (first two years) |
| Language | English |
| Orientation | Research |
| Location | Palaiseau Campus |
| Course duration | two years (coursework period), followed by a three-year dissertation phase |
| Course start | September |
| Degrees awarded | Master’s degree (after the first two years), PhD (on completion of the dissertation) |
WHY ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?
Asset n° 1
Get ready for a PhD by starting research at an early stage
Asset n°2
Be closely associated with the research activities carried out in a world-renowned innovation cluster
Asset n°3
Benefit from individual and personalized supervision by a faculty member
Quantum Technologies have seen a dramatic development in the past few years. The realization of individual quantum systems and the control of new materials with unconventional properties has paved the way to the development of machines and protocols based on the most fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics, without classical counterparts, such as the superposition of states and entanglement. The demonstration of quantum supremacy in 2019 has been a major step, but many new challenges remain to be taken for the complete deployment of Quantum Technologies, at both the fundamental level and that of practical applications.
The Quantum Science and Technologies PhD track is organized around six pillars:
- Quantum Materials
- Quantum Simulation
- Quantum Computation
- Quantum Sensing and Metrology
- Quantum Communication and Networking
- Quantum Information Processing
It aims at providing the students with a high level education at the state of the art of quantum physics and quantum information processing in direct contact with forefront research in all these fields.
Objectives
- Be trained to forefront challenges in quantum science and its technological applications
- Contribute to cutting-edge research in a word-leading research center
- Discover a multidisciplinary field at the frontier of theoretical and experimental physics, computer science, and applied mathematics.
- Discover the diversity of quantum technologies in the rich scientific environment of the Plateau de Saclay
- Become a leader of the next generation of reserachers and engineers in quantum science and technologies
Partner University
- Université Paris-Saclay
The five-year curriculum of the PhD track trains students in cutting-edge research for them to pursue international careers in prestigious universities and academic labs or leading companies in quantum technologies.
The PhD Track provides a five-year "à la carte" integrated Master and PhD program for particularly motivated and talented students aiming at preparing a career in academia or industry through an individualized research-oriented training program in Quantum Science and Technologies. Students will be attributed an academic tutor in their field of research from the very start of their studies at IP Paris. In coordination with their tutor, students will elaborate their own personal curriculum consisting of course work and research phases corresponding to their research interests and professional project.
During their first year, students will follow a selection of high level courses focused on quantum physics and its interfaces. It may include computer science and applied mathematics courses, as well as complementary modules allowing them to broaden their general scientific culture and to acquire complementary skills. At the same time, the students are immediately members of the research team of their tutor and participate in team activities and research discussions. This includes in particular attending relevant research seminars and potentially topical workshops. During the first year, students will work on a research project, in collaboration with their host team. A significant part of the second year will be devoted to a larger-scale research work, giving rise to a Master thesis and – most likely – first research publications. This is also the occasion to consolidate their choice for the topic of their PhD.
While it will still be possible to follow selected – more specialized – scientific courses and courses in secondary skills, the last three years of the PhD Track program will be mainly devoted to research work towards the PhD degree.
In addition to the weekly laboratory work, two mandatory full-time internships take place during the spring, one at the M1 level, the other at the M2 level. The duration and corresponding number of ECTS are at least those of the main Master in which the student is enrolled. The number of ECTS can be adapted depending on the duration of the internship.
Students have the opportunity to visit international partner universities.
All relevant laboratories of IP Paris and partner institutions, in particular
- Center for Theoretical Physics (CPHT, Ecole Polytechnique
- Laboratory for Applied Optics (LOA, Ecole Polytechnique/ENSTA)
- Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics (PMC, Ecole Polytechnique)
- Laboratory for Information Processing and Communication Laboratory (LTCI, Telecom Paris)
- Laboratory for Irradiated Solids (LSI, Ecole Polytechnique)
Admission requirements
Academic prerequisites
Completion with highest honors of a Bachelor in physics, including courses in quantum physics, at Institut Polytechnique de Paris or equivalent in France or abroad.
Evidence of research potential is essential as the main goal of such a PhD program is to train first class researchers.
Students who have completed the first year of an equivalent program may exceptionally be directly admitted to the second year (4-year PhD program).
Language prerequisites
A certificate of proficiency in English (level B2) is required (TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge ESOL), except for native speakers and students who previously studied in English.
How to apply
Applications are exclusively online. You will be required to provide the following documents:
- Transcript
- Two academic references (added online directly by your referees)
- CV/resume
- Statement of purpose indicating which 2 choices of research subjects among the one listed on this page under the section "PhD Track Research Projects"
You will receive an answer in your candidate space within 2 months following the closing date of the application session.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated fees for 2022-2023 are subject to increase
- Regular fees: 243€
- Engineer students enrolled in one of the five member schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Ecole polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis): 159€
- Special cases: please refer to the "Cost of studies" section of the FAQs
Applications and admission dates
When applying to the PhD Tracks in Physics, you should describe your preferred fields of study and research in your motivation letter. You are ecouraged to choose two preferred PhD Track subjects among the list below. Since the posted offers do not cover the full spectrum of our activities, you can also visit the web pages of the 11 laboratories (CPHT, IPVF, LLR, LOA, LOB, LPICM, LPMC, LPP, LSI, LULI, Omega) affiliated to the physics department and indicate the research lines that interest you the most.
PhD Track research projects in “QUANTUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY”
- Correlated quantum matter and quantum information
- Ultrafast dynamics of electrons in quantum materials
- Re-using model results to determine materials properties: connector theory approach
- Collective electronic fluctuations and their influence on materials properties
- Spin-dependent charge dynamics in dilute nitride and defect-engineered semiconductor quantum structures and devices
- Electronic processes in nitride semiconductor quantum structures and devices
- Theory of Many-Body Quantum States
- Probing the quantum properties of spin defects in 2D materials
- Time-frequency quantum information processing
- Uncovering a new law of physics in quantum materials
Quantum Technologies have seen a dramatic development in the past few years. The realization of individual quantum systems and the control of new materials with unconventional properties has paved the way to the development of machines and protocols based on the most fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics, without classical counterparts, such as the superposition of states and entanglement. The demonstration of quantum supremacy in 2019 has been a major step, but many new challenges remain to be taken for the complete deployment of Quantum Technologies, at both the fundamental level and that of practical applications.
The Quantum Science and Technologies PhD track is organized around six pillars:
- Quantum Materials
- Quantum Simulation
- Quantum Computation
- Quantum Sensing and Metrology
- Quantum Communication and Networking
- Quantum Information Processing
It aims at providing the students with a high level education at the state of the art of quantum physics and quantum information processing in direct contact with forefront research in all these fields.
Objectives
- Be trained to forefront challenges in quantum science and its technological applications
- Contribute to cutting-edge research in a word-leading research center
- Discover a multidisciplinary field at the frontier of theoretical and experimental physics, computer science, and applied mathematics.
- Discover the diversity of quantum technologies in the rich scientific environment of the Plateau de Saclay
- Become a leader of the next generation of reserachers and engineers in quantum science and technologies
Partner University
- Université Paris-Saclay
The five-year curriculum of the PhD track trains students in cutting-edge research for them to pursue international careers in prestigious universities and academic labs or leading companies in quantum technologies.
The PhD Track provides a five-year "à la carte" integrated Master and PhD program for particularly motivated and talented students aiming at preparing a career in academia or industry through an individualized research-oriented training program in Quantum Science and Technologies. Students will be attributed an academic tutor in their field of research from the very start of their studies at IP Paris. In coordination with their tutor, students will elaborate their own personal curriculum consisting of course work and research phases corresponding to their research interests and professional project.
During their first year, students will follow a selection of high level courses focused on quantum physics and its interfaces. It may include computer science and applied mathematics courses, as well as complementary modules allowing them to broaden their general scientific culture and to acquire complementary skills. At the same time, the students are immediately members of the research team of their tutor and participate in team activities and research discussions. This includes in particular attending relevant research seminars and potentially topical workshops. During the first year, students will work on a research project, in collaboration with their host team. A significant part of the second year will be devoted to a larger-scale research work, giving rise to a Master thesis and – most likely – first research publications. This is also the occasion to consolidate their choice for the topic of their PhD.
While it will still be possible to follow selected – more specialized – scientific courses and courses in secondary skills, the last three years of the PhD Track program will be mainly devoted to research work towards the PhD degree.
In addition to the weekly laboratory work, two mandatory full-time internships take place during the spring, one at the M1 level, the other at the M2 level. The duration and corresponding number of ECTS are at least those of the main Master in which the student is enrolled. The number of ECTS can be adapted depending on the duration of the internship.
Students have the opportunity to visit international partner universities.
All relevant laboratories of IP Paris and partner institutions, in particular
- Center for Theoretical Physics (CPHT, Ecole Polytechnique
- Laboratory for Applied Optics (LOA, Ecole Polytechnique/ENSTA)
- Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics (PMC, Ecole Polytechnique)
- Laboratory for Information Processing and Communication Laboratory (LTCI, Telecom Paris)
- Laboratory for Irradiated Solids (LSI, Ecole Polytechnique)
Admission requirements
Academic prerequisites
Completion with highest honors of a Bachelor in physics, including courses in quantum physics, at Institut Polytechnique de Paris or equivalent in France or abroad.
Evidence of research potential is essential as the main goal of such a PhD program is to train first class researchers.
Students who have completed the first year of an equivalent program may exceptionally be directly admitted to the second year (4-year PhD program).
Language prerequisites
A certificate of proficiency in English (level B2) is required (TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge ESOL), except for native speakers and students who previously studied in English.
How to apply
Applications are exclusively online. You will be required to provide the following documents:
- Transcript
- Two academic references (added online directly by your referees)
- CV/resume
- Statement of purpose indicating which 2 choices of research subjects among the one listed on this page under the section "PhD Track Research Projects"
You will receive an answer in your candidate space within 2 months following the closing date of the application session.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated fees for 2022-2023 are subject to increase
- Regular fees: 243€
- Engineer students enrolled in one of the five member schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Ecole polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis): 159€
- Special cases: please refer to the "Cost of studies" section of the FAQs
Applications and admission dates
When applying to the PhD Tracks in Physics, you should describe your preferred fields of study and research in your motivation letter. You are ecouraged to choose two preferred PhD Track subjects among the list below. Since the posted offers do not cover the full spectrum of our activities, you can also visit the web pages of the 11 laboratories (CPHT, IPVF, LLR, LOA, LOB, LPICM, LPMC, LPP, LSI, LULI, Omega) affiliated to the physics department and indicate the research lines that interest you the most.
PhD Track research projects in “QUANTUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY”
- Correlated quantum matter and quantum information
- Ultrafast dynamics of electrons in quantum materials
- Re-using model results to determine materials properties: connector theory approach
- Collective electronic fluctuations and their influence on materials properties
- Spin-dependent charge dynamics in dilute nitride and defect-engineered semiconductor quantum structures and devices
- Electronic processes in nitride semiconductor quantum structures and devices
- Theory of Many-Body Quantum States
- Probing the quantum properties of spin defects in 2D materials
- Time-frequency quantum information processing
- Uncovering a new law of physics in quantum materials