Scientist, Pooled Functional Screening

Your Impact at Lila

We are seeking a curious, driven, and collaborative Scientist to join our discovery platform team with a focus on designing and executing ultra–high-throughput pooled functional assays. You will develop novel workflows that utilize next-generation pooled screening strategies using cell-free, in-cell, or compartmentalized systems, generating rich biological datasets that feed directly into Lila’s machine learning models. This is a unique opportunity to help invent a new approach to biological discovery by integrating synthetic biology, high-throughput experimentation, and intelligent automation.

What You'll Be Building

• Design and execute pooled protein activity assays across, cell-free, in vitro and in-cell contexts
• Develop functional droplet-based workflows for ultra–high-throughput screening of protein libraries
• Build and express diverse DNA libraries for high-throughput evaluation
• Interface with our data sciences, automation, and life sciences teams to scale up throughput and data fidelity
• Support end-to-end workflow development including protein expression, purification, and activity readouts via fluorescence, NGS, or MS

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• MSc with 3+ years of industry or academic experience, or PhD in a relevant field (molecular biology, bioengineering, synthetic biology, chemical biology, etc.)
• Experience in pooled or multiplexed screening formats using DNA/protein libraries
• Hands-on expertise in cell-free protein synthesis and/or in-cell enzyme activity assays
• Proficiency in fluorescence-based assays and droplet microfluidics or FACS-based sorting
• Familiarity with NGS-based readouts or proteomics techniques for measuring functional outputs

Bonus Points For

• Experience with custom microfluidic workflows or droplet generation for biochemical assays
• Strong programming or scripting background (e.g., Python, R) for data analysis or automation integration
• Experience in mass spectrometry-based multiplexed peptide quantification
• Experience with imaging based high throughput screens in cells

About Lila

Lila Sciences is the world’s first scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous lab for life, chemistry, and materials science.  We are pioneering a new age of boundless discovery by building the capabilities to apply AI to every aspect of the scientific method.  We are introducing scientific superintelligence to solve humankind's greatest challenges, enabling scientists to bring forth solutions in human health, climate, and sustainability at a pace and scale never experienced before. Learn more about this mission at  www.lila.ai

If this sounds like an environment you’d love to work in, even if you only have some of the experience listed below, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation

We expect the base salary for this role to fall between $108,000–$170,000 USD per year, along with bonus potential and generous early equity. The final offer will reflect your unique background, expertise, and impact.

We’re All In

Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.

A Note to Agencies

Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.