Co-Op, Electron Microscopy

Lila Sciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Lila Sciences, Inc. is seeking a Co-Op, Electron Microscopy to join the Materials Science team in Cambridge, MA. You will support SEM characterization workflows for powdered materials and thin films, collaborating with synthesis, characterization, and ML scientists to convert experiments into high-quality data.

The role is hands-on, instrument-heavy, and suitable for a PhD student seeking depth in microstructural analysis and AI-driven materials research.

Qualifications

• PhD enrollment in Materials Science, Physics, or related field.
• Strong background in SEM-based microstructural analysis.
• Hands-on expertise with EDS, EBSD, and FIB.
• Experience characterizing powdered materials and thin films.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot advanced SEM systems.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute SEM-based characterization workflows across diverse chemistries and form factors.
• Operate electron microscopy instrumentation under the guidance of staff scientists.
• Partner with experimental scientists and engineers to optimize protocols and inform downstream analysis.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and workflow issues that affect data quality.
• Capture imaging and analysis results in clear, reusable laboratory records.
• Follow safety and compliance standards for instrument and sample handling.

Skills

SEM analysis expertise

Data organization

Troubleshooting instrumentation

Education

PhD in Materials Science/Physics

Tools

EDS

EBSD

FIB

SEM systems

Job description

Lila Sciences is seeking a Co-Op, Electron Microscopy to join the Materials Science team within the Autonomous Science Platform. This co-op supports advanced SEM characterization workflows across powdered materials and thin films, working alongside synthesis, characterization, and ML scientists to turn physical experiments into high-quality data.

The work is hands-on and instrument-heavy: acquiring imaging and compositional data, refining methods, and iterating on protocols that feed Lila's materials discovery platform. It suits a PhD student who wants depth in microstructural analysis and sees how characterization data drives AI-guided materials research.

What You'll Be Building

• Design and execute SEM-based characterization workflows across diverse chemistries and form factors
• Operate electron microscopy instrumentation under the guidance of staff scientists
• Partner with experimental scientists and engineers to optimize protocols and inform downstream analysis
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and workflow issues that affect data quality
• Capture imaging and analysis results in clear, reusable laboratory records
• Follow safety and compliance standards for instrument and sample handling

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Currently enrolled in a PhD in Materials Science, Physics, or a related field
• Strong background in SEM-based microstructural analysis
• Hands-on expertise with EDS, EBSD, and FIB (focused ion beam)
• Experience characterizing powdered materials and thin films
• Demonstrated ability to operate and troubleshoot advanced SEM systems
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Bonus Points For

• Experience with image analysis tools such as ImageJ or Python-based pipelines
• Familiarity with complementary techniques such as XRD or XRF
• Interest in automation and integration of microscopy with AI workflows
• Prior work characterizing nanoscale defects and interfaces

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.

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.

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By submitting this application, you acknowledge that Lila Sciences will process your personal data for recruitment purposes. We'll retain your information for at least 12 months after the conclusion of the hiring process. For details on your rights and how we handle your data, see our Candidate Privacy Policy at lila.ai/candidate-privacy-policy-notice.