Senior Scientist, Solid-State Materials — AI‑Driven Synthesis

Lila Sciences, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonuses

Office lunch program

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Lila Sciences, Inc. in Cambridge, MA seeks a Scientist II/Senior Scientist to advance solid-state materials synthesis for autonomous science. You will design multi-step preparations, optimize pathways, and partner across teams to accelerate discovery.

The role emphasizes crystallography, XRD, and multidisciplinary collaboration in a highly automated lab environment. Competitive compensation and equity are offered along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD in solid-state or inorganic chemistry with 1–5 years postgrad experience.
• Portfolio of novel inorganic compounds spanning multiple systems.
• Hands-on proficiency across multiple inorganic synthesis modalities.
• Experience driving synthesis campaigns toward functional targets.
• Strong command of phase diagrams and crystallography principles.
• Deep proficiency in X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement.
• Fluency across multimodal characterization to inform synthesis decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute synthesis campaigns across multiple chemical systems.
• Translate phase-diagram reasoning into prioritized synthesis pathways.
• Access metastable phases via low-temperature and soft-chemical routes.
• Collaborate with characterization team for structure ID and QC.
• Screen materials for magnetic, optical, or transport properties.
• Integrate synthesis outputs into AI-guided autonomous workflows.
• Develop robust protocols for air- and moisture-sensitive precursors.
• Maintain rigorous lab records and uphold safety standards.

Skills

Synthesis campaigns

Phase diagrams

Crystallography

XRD analysis

Multimodal characterization

Cross-functional collaboration

Python data analysis

Education

PhD in solid-state chemistry

Tools

X-ray diffraction

Rietveld refinement

Diffraction instrumentation

Single-crystal growth

Job description

Lila Sciences, Inc. in Cambridge, MA seeks a Scientist II/Senior Scientist to advance solid-state materials synthesis for autonomous science. You will design multi-step preparations, optimize pathways, and partner across teams to accelerate discovery.

The role emphasizes crystallography, XRD, and multidisciplinary collaboration in a highly automated lab environment. Competitive compensation and equity are offered along with comprehensive benefits.