Senior Research Associate, Mammalian Cell Engineering Operations

Lila Sciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology firm seeks a Senior Research Associate to enhance cell-based research programs. The ideal candidate will have 4+ years of experience in mammalian cell culture and engineering. This hands-on role involves optimizing workflows, performing assays, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. A competitive salary between $80,000 and $106,000 per year is offered, with the opportunity for bonuses and equity.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in related field for Bachelor's or 2+ years with Master's.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture.
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Execute and optimize mammalian cell engineering workflows.
• Culture and maintain mammalian cell lines.
• Perform cell-based assays and analyze results.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Cell engineering

CRISPR-based genome editing

Collaboration

Experimental documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field

Master's degree in Biology or related field

Tools

Flow cytometry

qPCR

ELISA

Job description

Your Impact at Lila

The Senior Research Associate will play a central role in supporting and advancing LILA’s cell-based research programs. This position is highly hands‑on and will focus on the culture and manipulation of a broad range of mammalian cell types, including primary cells. The ideal candidate brings deep practical expertise in building robust and reproducible cell culture workflows and is excited to help develop and transition protocols from manual execution toward more standardized, scalable, and automation‑enabled processes over time. Experience in cell engineering (Stable Cell line generation) and lentiviral vector (LVV) production is highly desirable.

What You’ll Be Building

• Design, execute, and optimize stable and transient mammalian cell engineering workflows, including CRISPR-based genome editing, lentiviral vector (LVV) production and titering, and transposase-based systems; experience with primary cell engineering and transduction is strongly preferred.
• Culture, maintain, and optimize mammalian cell lines and primary cells, applying best-in‑class aseptic technique across thawing, expansion, passaging, cryopreservation, and cell banking, while proactively monitoring culture health and troubleshooting variability.
• Perform cell-based assays and downstream analytical readouts, including assessments of viability, proliferation, and phenotype using flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, and imaging-based approaches; analyze and clearly summarize results to inform program and experimental decisions.
• Rigorously document experimental protocols, data, and observations in electronic lab notebooks (ELNs), ensuring accuracy, reproducibility, and compliance with internal standards.
• Support the development and adoption of automation-enabled cell culture and assay workflows, contributing to increased throughput, robustness, and scalability.
• Collaborate effectively within cross‑functional teams, providing technical input into experimental design, process optimization, and project planning, and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of experience, or Master’s degree with 2+ years of experience, in Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Industry‑relevant, hands‑on experience with a strong emphasis on mammalian cell culture and cell engineering.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated excellence in experimental documentation and SOP development, with a strong focus on reproducibility and quality.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt in a fast‑paced, innovative, and highly collaborative research environment.

Bonus Points For

• Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of experience, or Master’s degree with 2+ years of experience, in Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Industry‑relevant, hands‑on experience with a strong emphasis on mammalian cell culture and cell engineering.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated excellence in experimental documentation and SOP development, with a strong focus on reproducibility and quality.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt in a fast‑paced, innovative, and highly collaborative research environment.

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 at www.lila.ai.

Compensation

We expect the base salary for this role to fall between $80,000- $106,000 USD per year, along with bonus potential and generous early equity. The final offer will reflect your unique background, expertise, and impact.

We’re All In

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.