Senior Research Associate​/Associate Scientist, Targeted LNP Delivery

Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Targeted LNP Delivery

Cambridge, MA USA

We are seeking a (Senior) Research Associate to join our Life Sciences team. This role will focus on formulating lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), functionalizing them with targeting ligands, and characterizing the resulting targeted LNPs (tLNPs). The ideal candidate will have hands‑on expertise in LNP formulation and characterization, bioconjugation, protein characterization, and automation technologies. Your work will unlock new understandings in the delivery space by enabling a high‑throughput closed‑loop screening cascade for tLNPs.

This position will work closely with others across the protein, cell biology, automation, chemistry machine learning, and data science teams to help establish high‑throughput next‑generation tools for targeted nucleic acid delivery.

What You'll Be Building

• Design, execute, and characterize (DLS, ribogreen, TNS, etc.) LNP formulations across multiple scales and mixing modalities
• Develop and refine high‑throughput ligand conjugation and purification methods, employing automation and robotics to increase throughput
• Collaborate with cell assay and antibody specialists to screen hits across a variety of tissue targets in in vivo models
• Collaborate with chemists, biologists, engineers, and data scientists to document systems, share insights, and refine best practices in autonomous flow chemistry
• Write, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for both existing and new lab processes

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• MSc in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field with 3+ years, or BSc with 5+ years, of hands‑on experience in targeted LNP production, or related experience. Industry experience strongly preferred
• Strong working knowledge of bioanalytical techniques (e.g., DLS, fluorescence spectroscopy, electrophoresis, in vitro assays)
• Experience with protein and antibody design and characterization
• Familiarity with automation and high‑throughput workflows
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work effectively across interdisciplinary teams

About Lila

Lila Sciences is the world’s first scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous lab for life, chemistry, and materials science. We are pioneering a new age of boundless discovery by building the capabilities to apply AI to every aspect of the scientific method. We are introducing scientific superintelligence to solve humankind's greatest challenges, enabling scientists to bring forth solutions in human health, climate, and sustainability at a pace and scale never experienced before.

Learn more about this mission a.ai

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

Lila Sciences is 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.

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.

Compensation

We offer competitive compensation including bonus potential and generous early equity. The final offer will reflect your unique background, expertise, and impact.

Expected Base Salary Range

$80,000 - $118,000 USD