Company Summary

Lila Sciences is a privately held, early-stage technology company pioneering the application of artificial intelligence to transform every aspect of the scientific method. Lila is backed by Flagship Pioneering, which brings the courage, long-term vision, and resources needed to realize unreasonable results. Join our mission-driven team and contribute to the future of science.

Our Life Sciences effort is leveraging AI and high-throughput automation for valuable therapeutic discovery and development across biological modalities.

At Lila, we are uniquely cross-functional and collaborative. We are actively reimagining the way teams work together and communicate. Therefore, we seek individuals with an inclusive mindset and a diversity of thought. Our teams thrive in unstructured and creative environments. All voices are heard because we know that experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way.

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

This Role:

The Associate Scientist/Scientist in Assay Automation (Cell Biology) will play a key role in scaling manual processes into automated, high-throughput workflows. This position involves hands-on work with cell culture, high-throughput systems, and cross-functional collaboration to support assay development and platform implementation. Success in this role requires close collaboration with the Cell Biology – Assay team, the Automation team, and the Data and Compute team to ensure seamless integration of experimental workflows.

Responsibilities:

• Design, optimize, and validate assay workflows using high-throughput assay technologies such as transfections, luminescence, fluorescence, and AlphaLISA/AlphaScreens.
• Collaborate with the Assay, Automation, and Data/Compute teams to translate manual workflows into scalable, automated solutions.
• Operate and maintain automated workcells and other lab automation systems for high-throughput assay development.
• Perform hands-on cell culture work (both adherent and suspension) using sterile techniques in BSL-2 environments.
• Use design of experiments (DOE) to optimize workflows and scale manual experiments to automated processes.
• Develop, follow, and update SOPs while maintaining detailed records in electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).
• Troubleshoot technical issues with automation platforms and ensure instruments remain calibrated and operational.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline.
• 6+ years of relevant research experience with a Bachelor’s or 4+ years with a Master’s in assay development or related work.
• Proficiency in high-throughput assay technologies and experience in operating lab automation systems.
• Experience with cell culture in BSL-2 environments using sterile techniques.
• Strong skills in following SOPs and documenting experimental results accurately.

Good to have:

• PhD with 1-2 years of industry experience in automation
• Experience in cross-functional collaborations within dynamic team environments.
• Proficiency with tools like Excel, AWS, and the ability to learn new software platforms quickly.
• Experience with Python, Jupyter notebooks, or other tools for data analysis and workflow automation.
• Familiarity with cloud-based data storage and analysis platforms.
• Hands-on experience with CRISPR/Cas9 or other cell engineering techniques.

Working at Lila, you would have access to advanced technology in the areas of:

• AI experimental design and simulation
• Automated custom instrumentation
• Generative molecular and material design

About Flagship

Flagship Pioneering is a biotechnology company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies, and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are 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.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.