Senior Scientist, Assay Development and Automation

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. Lila is backed by Flagship Pioneering, which brings the courage, long-term vision, and resources needed to realize unreasonable results. Join our mission-driven team and contribute to the future of science.

Our Life Sciences effort is leveraging AI and high-throughput automation for valuable therapeutic discovery and development across biological modalities.

At Lila, we are uniquely cross-functional and collaborative. We are actively reimagining the way teams work together and communicate. Therefore, we seek individuals with an inclusive mindset and a diversity of thought. Our teams thrive in unstructured and creative environments. All voices are heard because we know that experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way.

If this sounds like an environment you’d love to work in, even if you only have some of the experience listed below, please apply.

The Role:

Lila Sciences is seeking a highly skilled High Throughput Assay Development and Automation Scientist to join our dynamic R&D team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in assay development and laboratory automation, contributing to the acceleration of our discovery pipeline through the design and implementation of high-throughput screening assays. Familiarity with AI-guided protein design is a plus, and experience in leading teams and utilizing automated systems to assay therapeutic properties is a must.

Responsibilities Include:

• Design, develop, and optimize robust biochemical and cell-based assays suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS).
• Validate assay performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and robustness.
• Develop and troubleshoot automated protocols to ensure efficient workflow integration.
• Collaborate with automation engineers, implement assays on automated platforms using liquid handling robots and other laboratory automation equipment.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to integrate AI-guided molecular design into the discovery process.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and team members.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in assay technologies and automation.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field. 3-5 years of experience in in vitro pharmacology, high throughput screening, and automation.
• Deep experience with mammalian cell-based protein production and functional assays. Experience with assay types such as ELISA, fluorescence, luminescence, HTRF and Alphalisa.
• Proficiency in using high-throughput automated systems for assaying therapeutic properties and functions is required.
• Experience with Python programming is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in managing and mentoring scientific teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative environment

Working at Lila Sciences, you would have access to advanced technology in the areas of:

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

About Flagship

Flagship Pioneering is a biotechnology company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies, and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are 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.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.