Senior Research Associate/Associate Scientist, Platform Scientist

Your Impact at LILA

As a Senior Research Associate / Scientist on the Platform Science team within Lila's Autonomous Science Platform, your work will directly contribute to building Lila's next-generation, AI-driven research capabilities. You will have the opportunity to pioneer novel automated instruments centered around advanced processing and characterization of solid state materials — at the critical intersection of hardware, software, and scientific inquiry.

This role is a unique blend of hands-on engineering and scientific investigation, where you will prototype, automate, and validate the platforms that will define the lab of the future. You will operate across a broad set of disciplines, working closely with the vacuum synthesis, platform science, and characterization teams to build tools that dramatically accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and support active research campaigns across multiple initiatives.

What You'll Be Building

• Design, construct, and integrate novel automated experimental platforms with a material emphasis on solid state synthesis and novel processing methods, working in close collaboration with the vacuum synthesis, platform, and characterization teams to align on system requirements and share technical knowledge.
• Work hands-on to integrate hardware components, including optics, robotics, and sensors, into a cohesive, automated workflow.
• Develop end-to-end software stacks from instrument control to data stewardship and integration with downstream models.
• Analyze instrument data to validate system performance, troubleshoot issues, and support research initiatives designed to establish and expand the capabilities of new platforms.
• Collect, document, and interpret experimental data across active research campaigns, ensuring data quality and traceability in support of platform and scientific objectives.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Masters or Bachelors in Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, or Bachelors with equivalent industry experience.
• Hands-on experience building automated instrumentation, including both hardware integration and software control.
• Proficiency in a programming language used for instrument control and data analysis (Python, C#).
• Strong foundational knowledge in engineering principles, including optics, electronics, and/or mechanical design.

Bonus Points For

• Experience with the operation and safety protocols of Class 4 laser systems.
• Familiarity with vacuum-based synthesis techniques such as physical vapor deposition, sputtering, or pulsed laser deposition.
• Experience with solid state materials characterization methods (e.g., XRD, SEM, optical microscopy).
• An inventive, problem-solving mindset with a passion for building new things and tackling open-ended challenges.
• A safety-focused approach with strong communication and teamwork skills across multidisciplinary environments.