Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Characterization

Lila Sciences
Cambridge
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 80,000 - 118,000 annuallyFunction: Research & Scientific (R&D)Experience: 2-5 yearsEducation: mastersSkills: ["Attention to detail","Troubleshooting","Communication","Experimental documentation","Method development"]

Operate and troubleshoot materials characterization workflows for active research campaigns within the Autonomous Science Platform. Run core methods including SEM, optical microscopy, and XRD; maintain instrument readiness through calibration, documentation, and checks; and develop/refine protocols for new tools, methods, and sample types. Prepare samples and measurement plans, deliver high-quality data with traceable records, and improve throughput, reliability, and data quality by partnering with scientists, engineers, and platform teams.

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Lila Sciences
Lila Sciences
1 month ago

Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Characterization

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Last checked: 5 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Operate and troubleshoot materials characterization workflows for active research campaigns within the Autonomous Science Platform. Run core methods including SEM, optical microscopy, and XRD; maintain instrument readiness through calibration, documentation, and checks; and develop/refine protocols for new tools, methods, and sample types. Prepare samples and measurement plans, deliver high-quality data with traceable records, and improve throughput, reliability, and data quality by partnering with scientists, engineers, and platform teams.
Location: Cambridge
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Research & Scientific (R&D)
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Operate and troubleshoot SEM, optical microscopy, and XRD characterization workflows.
  • •Prepare samples and measurement plans for routine characterization requests.
  • •Maintain instrument readiness via checks, calibration, documentation, and troubleshooting.
  • •Develop and refine protocols for new instruments, methods, and sample types.
  • •Identify workflow bottlenecks and improve throughput, reliability, and data quality while partnering with internal teams.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 80,000 - 118,000 annually
Perks:MedicalDentalVisionLife InsuranceDisability InsurancePaid ParentalLearning BudgetCommuter Benefits

Key Requirements

  • •B.S. or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or a related field.
  • •2 to 5 years of hands-on laboratory experience in materials characterization or adjacent workflows.
  • •Experience operating SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, or other common materials characterization tools.
  • •Strong sample preparation, measurement planning, and experimental documentation skills.
  • •Ability to troubleshoot instruments, workflows, and data-quality issues while following SOPs and improving protocols over time.
Experience:2-5 yearsMaterials characterizationLaboratoryMaterials science
Education:Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering (or related field)
Skills:Attention to detailTroubleshootingCommunicationExperimental documentationMethod development
Languages:English
Tech Stack:SEMOptical microscopyXRDInstrument calibrationSOPsSample preparationProtocol developmentData analysisVisualizationScripting

Company Brief

Lila Sciences
Develops AI-driven platforms to accelerate drug discovery and biological research by integrating machine learning with chemical and biological data to predict molecular properties, streamline candidate selection, and enable faster therapeutic development.
Industry: Biotech
Company Size: Small (11 to 50 employees)
Growth: Early Stage Startup
Funding: Seed
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