At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative electron diffraction workflows and develop methods for materials discovery.
- Company: Join Lila Sciences, a pioneering company in AI-driven scientific discovery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, flexible time off, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment focused on solving global challenges through science.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in materials science with cutting-edge technology and collaborative teams.
- Qualifications: PhD or M.S. in relevant fields with hands-on experience in electron microscopy.
The predicted salary is between 61200 - 74800 £ per year.
Your Impact at LILA
Lila Sciences is seeking a Scientist II / Senior Scientist, Electron Diffraction Characterization to join the Materials Science team within the Autonomous Science Platform.
The Autonomous Science Platform combines experimental science, automation, AI, and software to accelerate materials discovery.
This role turns electron diffraction and microstructure measurements into trusted, machine-readable data that supports crystal structure determination, materials characterization, automated workflows, and model development.
You will lead method development, validation, and operation for electron diffraction characterization workflows, with emphasis on micro-ED and/or EBSD.
You will prepare samples, run measurements, interpret diffraction and microstructure data, troubleshoot data-quality issues, and establish workflows that make characterization outputs accurate, reproducible, and fit for purpose.
You will also translate electron diffraction expertise into scalable analyzer pipelines.
Partnering with ML, software, automation, and experimental teams, you will define metadata, quality-control checks, provenance, and analysis workflows that make diffraction data reliable, traceable, and useful at scale.
The ideal candidate combines deep hands-on expertise in electron diffraction characterization with strong scientific judgment and a commitment to high-quality data.
They can operate at the instrument, interpret complex structural and microstructural outputs, and help build the analytical infrastructure needed to scale characterization across Lila’s platform.
- What You'll Be Building
- Lead micro-ED and other electron microscopy characterization workflows for materials discovery programs.
- Develop methods for crystal structure determination and microstructure analysis.
- Prepare samples, run measurements, interpret data, and troubleshoot quality issues.
- Define calibration, validation, QC, and reproducibility standards for electron diffraction workflows.
- Build structured, traceable diffraction outputs for downstream analysis and modeling.
- Partner with ML, software, automation, and experimental teams on analyzer pipelines.
- Translate project needs into fit-for-purpose characterization methods and analysis plans.
- What You'll Need to Succeed
- Ph D in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or M. S. with equivalent hands-on characterization experience.
- Hands-on expertise in SEM and TEM including advanced diffraction analysis such as micro-ED.
- Strong understanding of diffraction principles, crystallography, crystal structure determination, and microstructure analysis.
- Experience preparing samples, validating methods, interpreting diffraction data, and troubleshooting workflow issues.
- Ability to translate characterization workflows into reliable, structured, machine-readable data.
- Experience collaborating across scientific, ML, software, automation, or data teams.
- Clear communication skills for documenting methods, explaining results, and driving cross-functional decisions.
- Bonus Points For
- Experience with other EM techniques including EBSD, 4D-STEM is a plus.
- Familiarity with automated or high-throughput characterization workflows.
- Proficiency with Python or similar tools for scientific data analysis.
- Experience integrating instrument data with ML-ready datasets or analyzer workflows.
Compensation
We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity. Your final offer will reflect your background, expertise, and expected impact.
U. S. Benefits.
Full-time U.
S. employees receive a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office based employees; and a company subsidized lunch program.
International Benefits.
Full-time employees outside the U.
S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region.
USD salary ranges apply only to U.
S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market.
- Expected Base Salary Range $128,000 — $198,000 USD
- About LILA
Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ to solve humankind's greatest challenges.
We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI.
Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves.
LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy.
Learn more at www. lila. ai.
Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance.
We’re All In
Lila Sciences iscommitted to equal employment opportunityregardless 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.
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Scientist II / Senior Scientist, Electron Diffraction Characterization in Cambridge employer: Lilasciences
Lila is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, perfect for those passionate about advancing AI safety. Located in a vibrant tech hub, employees benefit from continuous professional development opportunities, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the field of advanced scientific capabilities. Join us to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research while enjoying a balanced work-life dynamic.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientist II / Senior Scientist, Electron Diffraction Characterization in Cambridge
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Lilasciences, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Lilasciences. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Scientist II / Senior Scientist, Electron Diffraction Characterization in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Lilasciences. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Lilasciences. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lilasciences
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Lilasciences. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Lilasciences to drive research projects forward.
