The process began with an informal introductory conversation where we determined which role would be the best fit. After that, I had an online interview with the HR manager and the direct supervisor for the position. This was followed by an on‑site technical discussion with two members of the team. I was then invited for a one‑day on‑site visit. During this visit, I received a more detailed explanation of the role and how it fits into the company’s broader strategy. I also had a culture interview and joined the team for lunch, which gave me a good sense of the working environment and team dynamics. Later in the day, I met with another team member who showed me the labs, and I had a more technical interview with the CTO, followed by a conversation with the direct supervisor for the position, during which we talked about potential onboarding timelines. The process concluded with a conversation with the CEO, who shared insights into the company’s current direction, future plans, and how the role contributes to that vision.

They gave a tour of the company, after which I presented some of my research. I was honestly disappointed because despite having all the company's senior people in the room, only the CTO seemed to know enough about quantum physics to have a real conversation. I then had one-on-ones with the team leads, which were all cordial but confirmed that none of them had (much) research experience. I later received an offer that was €25-55k/year lower than the offers I had gotten from other companies in Europe.