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:
In this role, you will lead the platform development of RNA-based therapeutics and cell engineering, with a focus on building workflows that can be scaled and automated. You will collaborate across cross-functional teams, contribute to project design and execution, and mentor team members to foster innovation and project success.

Responsibilities:

• RNA Therapeutics Development: Design and optimize high-throughput RNA transfection workflows and develop cell-based assays for RNA constructs (e.g., viability, Alphalisa, flow cytometry, HT imaging).
• iPSC and Cell Line Engineering: Establish and optimize iPSC differentiation protocols (e.g., hepatic and pancreatic lineages) and generate isogenic cell lines using CRISPR/Cas9 and lentiviral systems.
• Design of Experiments (Arrayed and Pooled Screens): Lead high-throughput screening campaigns using DOE approaches, validate engineered cell lines, and manage pooled and arrayed screening assays to support payload design strategies.
• Project Management and Collaboration: Present experimental results and updates during technical meetings with leadership, manage timelines, and foster strategic alignment across internal and client partnerships.
• Mentorship and Collaboration: Mentor team members, provide technical training, and collaborate across cross-functional teams to support team growth and project outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Senior Scientist: PhD with 4+ years, or Master’s with 7+ years of industry experience, or equivalent in Developmental Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Scientist II: PhD with 2+ year, or Master’s with 5+ years of industry experience, or equivalent in Developmental Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field.

• Proficiency in gene editing, RNA therapeutics, immune and biochemical assay development.
• Experience with differentiation of iPSC cells, cell line engineering, stable cell line generation.
• Familiarity with building and implementing automated workflows for RNA transfection and assay readouts using liquid handling platforms (e.g., Lynx, Echo).
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with experience in cross-functional collaborations.

Good to Have:

• Exposure of in vivo RNA studies
• Experience with pooled screening workflows
• Proficiency in Python, Jupyter notebooks, or similar tools for data analysis
• High-throughput content imaging experience
• Ability to quickly adapt to new software platforms and strong proficiency in productivity tools like Excel.

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.