My journey

From Nice to Paris,
then Edinburgh.

Before quantum physics called, I spent seven years working in mobile phone sales for several French mobile operators. Then one day, I decided to enrol at university and study physics.

Zakaria Said
Nice · Paris · Edinburgh
Map data: Natural Earth (public domain)
UNS logo: Université Nice Sophia Antipolis · CC BY-SA 4.0

France Nice

Université Nice Sophia Antipolis

2015–2017

BSc studies · Physics · Years 1–2

Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNS)

I completed the first two years of my physics degree at Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, building a foundation in experimental and theoretical physics.

France Paris

Sorbonne Université

2017–2018

BSc · Physics · Final year

Sorbonne Université

I completed the final year of my undergraduate studies at Sorbonne Université, which awarded my BSc in Physics in 2018.

Sorbonne Université

2018–2020

MSc · Materials Science and Nano-Objects

Sorbonne Université

I specialised in Materials Science and Nano-Objects (SMNO) at Sorbonne Université, developing an interest in the optical properties of nanoscale materials and their use in quantum photonics.

Sorbonne UniversitéLPENS

2020–2024

PhD · Cavity quantum electrodynamics

Sorbonne Université
Laboratoire de Physique de l’École Normale Supérieure (LPENS)

I was awarded a PhD scholarship through the competitive selection process of the École Doctorale de Physique en Île-de-France (EDPIF). I carried out my research in the Nano-Optique team at LPENS, supervised by Prof. Carole Diederichs and Dr Yannick Chassagneux. My research used a fibre-based optical cavity to control how individual perovskite quantum dots interact with light. The goal was to explore their potential as single-photon sources and better understand the physics of these emerging quantum emitters.

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United Kingdom Edinburgh

Quantum Photonics LabHeriot-Watt University

December 2025–present

Postdoc · Spin–photon interfaces

Heriot-Watt University
Quantum Photonics Lab

After studying cavity-coupled quantum dots during my PhD, I now work with individual spin defects in silicon carbide at Heriot-Watt University. Optical spectroscopy remains central to my experiments, alongside microwave control of the electron spin. My goal is to combine efficient photon collection with electrical control of the emitter, creating a stable optical interface to a single spin. This work is part of the IQN Hub and the European QuSPARC project.

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