AI Lab Research Engineer

Lila Sciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative technology company is seeking an AI Lab Research Engineer to revolutionize scientific research through artificial intelligence. In this role, you will design and deploy AI agents that excel in sequential decision-making and reasoning, collaborating with experts across various scientific fields. This position offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of AI-driven research, contributing to advancements in biology and materials science. Join a mission-driven team dedicated to transforming the scientific method and accelerating discovery in a collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives and innovative thinking.

Qualifications

• Strong background in machine learning and scientific domains.
• Experience with large language models and domain adaptation.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI agents for solving complex scientific problems.
• Collaborate with teams to integrate AI into experimental workflows.

Skills

Machine Learning

Sequential Decision-Making

Problem-Solving

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Computer Science

Masters in Engineering

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

JAX

Job description

Join to apply for the AI Lab Research Engineer role at Lila Sciences.

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. Backed by Flagship Pioneering, we aim to realize ambitious results through a mission-driven team focused on the future of science.

Our Life Sciences effort leverages AI and high-throughput automation for therapeutic discovery across biological modalities. We foster an inclusive, collaborative environment that values diverse thought and skills, encouraging those with passion and some relevant experience to apply.

The Role
We seek a talented AI Lab Research Engineer experienced in developing scientific AI models to join our team. You will design, train, and deploy AI agents capable of sequential decision-making, reasoning, and task completion in scientific contexts. Collaborate with experts across biology, materials science, and automation to push AI-driven research forward, accelerating discovery and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop AI agents for solving complex scientific problems via sequential decision-making and multi-step reasoning.
2. Train and fine-tune models for specific scientific domains to ensure robust real-world performance.
3. Implement testing frameworks and benchmarks to evaluate agent capabilities and track progress.
4. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate AI agents into experimental workflows, enhancing research in biology, chemistry, and materials science.

Qualifications

• PhD or Masters in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering) with a strong background in machine learning and a scientific domain (biology or materials science).
• Understanding of large language models (LLMs) and their application to scientific problem-solving, including domain adaptation and fine-tuning.
• Proficiency in ML frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, and experience with scalable solutions.

Ideal Qualifications

• Expertise in developing AI agents for complex, long-term tasks.
• Experience creating benchmarks and evaluation frameworks for domain-specific challenges.
• Contributions to high-impact research, publications in top ML conferences, especially in sequential decision-making, reasoning, or multi-step problem-solving.
• Familiarity with scientific data pipelines and workflows.

Technologies and Resources

• AI experimental design and simulation
• Automated liquid handling and instrumentation
• Generative molecular design

About Flagship Pioneering
Flagship is a platform innovation company building transformative ventures in health and sustainability. Recognized for its impact and innovation, Flagship fosters diverse, inclusive teams committed to positive social and environmental change.

We encourage candidates with varied backgrounds to apply, emphasizing skills and passion over perfect matches. Equal employment opportunity is a core value, and we welcome all qualified applicants.