Senior Scientist, Electron Diffraction & Microstructure

Lila Sciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Equity

Job summary

Lila Sciences seeks a Scientist II / Senior Scientist specializing in electron diffraction characterization to advance micro-ED workflows and diffraction data pipelines. You will lead method development, validation, and operation, preparing samples, running measurements, and interpreting complex data to deliver reproducible, machine-readable results.

Collaborating with ML, software, automation, and experimental teams, you will define QC standards, metadata, and analysis workflows to scale

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering, or related field, or MS with equivalent hands-on characterization experience.
• Hands-on expertise in SEM and TEM including advanced diffraction analysis such as micro-ED.
• Strong understanding of diffraction principles, crystallography, and microstructure analysis.
• Experience preparing samples, validating methods, interpreting diffraction data, and troubleshooting workflow issues.
• Ability to translate characterization workflows into reliable, structured, machine-readable data.
• Experience collaborating across scientific, ML, software, automation, or data teams.
• Clear communication skills for documenting methods, explaining results, and driving cross-functional decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead micro-ED and other electron microscopy characterization workflows for materials discovery programs.
• Develop methods for crystal structure determination and microstructure analysis.
• Prepare samples, run measurements, interpret data, and troubleshoot quality issues.
• Define calibration, validation, QC, and reproducibility standards for electron diffraction workflows.
• Build structured, traceable diffraction outputs for downstream analysis and modeling.
• Partner with ML, software, automation, and experimental teams on analyzer pipelines.
• Translate project needs into fit-for-purpose characterization methods and analysis plans.

Skills

SEM and TEM

Electron diffraction

Crystallography

Data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD in Materials Science

MS with hands-on experience

Tools

Python

Job description

Lila Sciences seeks a Scientist II / Senior Scientist specializing in electron diffraction characterization to advance micro-ED workflows and diffraction data pipelines. You will lead method development, validation, and operation, preparing samples, running measurements, and interpreting complex data to deliver reproducible, machine-readable results.

Collaborating with ML, software, automation, and experimental teams, you will define QC standards, metadata, and analysis workflows to scale