At a Glance
- Tasks: Operate and improve cutting-edge materials characterization workflows in a dynamic lab environment.
- Company: Join Lila Sciences, a pioneer in AI-driven scientific research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, comprehensive health benefits, and flexible time off.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on innovation and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on groundbreaking research while developing your skills in a hands-on role.
- Qualifications: B.S. or M.S. in relevant fields with 2-5 years of lab experience.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Your Impact at LILA
Lila Sciences is seeking a Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Characterization to join the Materials Science team within the Autonomous Science Platform.
This role focuses on operating, maintaining, and improving characterization workflows that support active materials research campaigns.
The person in this role will run and troubleshoot core characterization methods, including SEM, optical microscopy, and XRD, while helping bring new instruments and protocols into reliable use.
They will partner with scientists, engineers, and platform teams to deliver high-quality measurements, document methods, and keep characterization workflows moving efficiently.
This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys careful experimental work, dependable lab operations, and practical method development.
The ideal candidate brings strong attention to detail, comfort working with scientific equipment, and interest in building repeatable workflows that support fast, high-quality research.
- What You'll Be Building
- Operate SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, and related characterization workflows.
- Prepare samples and measurement plans for routine characterization requests.
- Maintain instrument readiness through checks, calibration, documentation, and troubleshooting.
- Develop and refine protocols for new tools, methods, and sample types.
- Deliver high-quality measurement data with clear records and traceable methods.
- Identify workflow bottlenecks and improve throughput, reliability, and data quality.
- Partner with Materials Science, platform, and operations teams on campaign needs.
- What You'll Need to Succeed
- 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.
- Comfort following SOPs while improving protocols as methods mature.
- Strong communication skills for coordinating with scientists, engineers, and operations teams.
- Bonus Points For
- Familiarity with materials sample preparation for microscopy or diffraction workflows.
- Experience onboarding new lab equipment, methods, or characterization protocols.
- Comfort working in high-throughput or service-oriented lab environments.
- Basic data analysis, visualization, or scripting experience for measurement 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
- 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.
If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.
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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Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Characterization in Cambridge employer: Lilasciences
At Lila Sciences, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Senior Principal or Principal Software Engineer in our AI Lab Execution System team, you will have the opportunity to lead cutting-edge projects that directly impact scientific discovery while enjoying comprehensive benefits, flexible time off, and a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and educational assistance. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions will shape the future of AI in science, all while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to solving humanity's greatest challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, 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 Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, 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.
