Role Overview:
We are looking for an Innovation Programs & Partnerships Associate to work closely with the Head of Innovation & Partnerships in driving and executing key innovation initiatives, strategic partnerships, procurement and public-funded programs.
This role acts as a right hand to the Head of Innovation & Partnerships, helping structure and execute strategic innovation activities across European and national programs, ecosystem partnerships, and industrial innovation initiatives.
The position requires someone comfortable operating at the intersection of technology, public funding, industry ecosystems, supply chain and strategic execution.
Key responsibilities:
- Support the preparation and coordination of European and national innovation programs
- Contribute to the drafting of proposals and responses to calls (EU, national programs, strategic funding initiatives)
- Coordinate internal teams and external partners involved in funded innovation projects
- Monitor project progress and ensure compliance with program requirements and reporting
- Help develop partnerships with industrial players, startups, research labs, and technology providers
- Support the development of collaborations around new technologies and innovation equipment
- Represent C12 at industry conferences and events (non-speaking role), focusing on networking, external engagement and evangelization
- Support innovation initiatives related to new manufacturing technologies, equipment, and supply chain optimization
- Support the Head of Innovation and Partnerships by optimizing supply chain management: participate in procurement, participate in the sourcing and evaluation of innovative industrial equipment, suppliers, and solutions
- Support (public and private) management of partnerships to enable experimentation and deployment
Innovation Programs & Public Funding
Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Development
Industrial Innovation, Equipment & Supply Chain
About you:
- Between 5 to 8 years of experience in innovation programs, strategic partnerships, or technology-driven organizations
- Experience working in or collaborating with deeptech ecosystems and startups
- You have a Master's degree in physics, quantum physics, or engineering
- Exposure to industrial innovation, technology ecosystems, or research collaborations
- Really nice to have:
- Exposure to cutting-edge technologies (e.g., quantum computing)
- Experience coordinating and launching European or national public funding programs, exposure to public affairs
- Strong writing and analytical skills (drafting of proposals, notes, briefings, strategic documents)
- Ability to coordinate complex multi-stakeholder initiatives and programs
- Outstanding communication, presentation skills and stakeholder management
- Comfort navigating technical environments and emerging technologies
- Structured and execution-oriented
- Feedback oriented
- Curious about technology and innovation ecosystems
- Comfortable interacting with senior stakeholders and public institutions
- Demonstrates enthusiasm and positive energy, contributing to a driven and collaborative team environment
- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to handle evolving priorities and a wide variety of topics
Background & experience
Skills
Mindset
What we offer:
- Stock options for every employee (BSPCE/ESOP)
- Two incredible office spaces in the heart of Paris (both next to the famous Panthéon!)
- Sponsored trip to conferences around the world
- Swile meal vouchers
- Vibrant office culture (team lunches, offsite events, Friday breakfasts..)
- Mental health support with moka.care
- Training budget/ Annual Learning & Development Allowance
- Sabbatical leave (after 2 years in the company)
- You like hands-on work and technology
- You want to contribute to achieving landmark results in quantum computing, making a difference in the emerging quantum technologies
- You want to work within a people team with various backgrounds in nanofabrication, quantum electronics, and carbon nanotube science to create a revolutionary quantum computing processor
- You want to thrive in an exceptional scientific environment with several industrial and academic partners
- You share our values (excellence, scientific integrity, diversity, curiosity, and care) and want to help us define our product-focused culture and ambition to accelerate
Skills Required
- 5 to 8 years of experience in innovation programs or strategic partnerships
- Master's degree in physics, quantum physics, or engineering
- Experience working in deeptech ecosystems and startups
What We Do
C12 is building reliable quantum computers. The company is a spin-off from ENS launched in January 2020 by twin brothers Matthieu and Pierre Desjardins to supercharge the development of the lab’s promising new quantum technology. Quantum computing has the potential to change our lives. But frequent errors limit the technology’s viability. We are tackling the fundamental issue: the nature of the hardware itself. We are tapping into the simplest material–carbon–to drive a technological breakthrough in the field. Unlike other quantum computers, we use carbon nanotubes as the fundamental building block of our processor. By combining the power of an ultra-pure material with an easy-to-manufacture semiconductor device, we are building a scalable platform for quantum computing. Our executive co-founders bring a unique combination of scientific excellence and business skills to the company. Our team is made up of the world’s most accomplished experts in quantum electronics and carbon nanotube science. Our scientific advisors are renowned scientists and pioneers in spin qubits: Dr. Takis Kontos, Dr. Matthieu Delbecq and Dr. Jérémie Viennot. In June 2021, C12 secured a $10 million seed round with funding from 360 Capital, Bpifrance (Digital Venture Fund), Airbus Ventures, BNP Paribas Développement, and Octave Klaba (OVHcloud), and additional grants from Bpifrance and the Ile-de-France Region. We are leading quantum’s next material breakthrough, and we are just getting started. Silicon enabled the emergence of classical computing – it’s time for carbon to do the same for quantum !
