Scientific Lab Operator

Lila Sciences is seeking a hands-on Scientific Lab Operator to support R&D and testing capabilities in materials science, electrochemistry, materials characterization, and synthesis. The role involves operating automated lab equipment, owning daily lab operations, executing protocols, monitoring tests, and collaborating with scientists and engineers to improve lab quality and efficiency. The operator will maintain instrumentation for the AI Science Factory (AISF™) and ensure high-quality data.

Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or technical diploma in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on lab experience handling solid state and liquid materials.
• Experience with or willingness to learn electrochemistry, characterization, or synthesis methods.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and perform fine motor tasks.
• Comfortable working with chemicals, solvents, and equipment following safety procedures.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and workflow optimization.
• Self-driving mindset for learning new skills and engaging in discussions.

Good to Have

• Project or historical experience with potentiostats.
• Experience with materials characterization (e.g., SEM/XRD/XRF).
• Experience with profilometry, optical microscopy, 3D printing.
• Experience with vacuum synthesis methods, thin films, and membranes.
• Documentation design and control of R&D processes.
• Troubleshooting instruments and implementing workflow improvements.
• Proficiency with instrument software.
• Coding experience (Python, MATLAB, other data analysis tools).
• Proficiency with Excel for data tracking.
• Experience with prototyping, 3D printing (FDM/SLA), pumps, valves, and basic engineering tools.

Perks & Benefits

• Bonus potential
• Generous early equity

Your Impact at Lila

We are expanding our R&D and testing capabilities and seeking hands-on lab technicians to support materials science experiments across electrochemistry, materials characterization, and synthesis to and maintain the instrumentation that powers our AI Science Factory (AISF™). You will prep solutions and samples, run instruments, maintain high-quality data, and collaborate closely with scientists and engineers within a laboratory setting.

What You'll Be Building

• Operate automated lab equipment and interact with teams that span electrochemistry, surface characterization, and synthesis.
• Own daily lab operations—setup, teardown, material organization, and troubleshooting of novel and fundamental device testing setups.
• Execute designed protocols, monitor tests, and log observations that can impact data.
• Provide feedback to scientists and engineers on testing workflows and observations to improve quality, reliability, and efficiency within the lab space.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Education: Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or technical diploma in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or related field.
• Lab Fundamentals: Hands-on lab experience from coursework, internships, co-ops, or previous roles handling solid state and liquid materials
• Equipment Operation: Experience with or willingness to learn techniques within electrochemistry, characterization, or synthesis methods.
• Physical requirements: Stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, fine motor tasks. Work with chemicals, solvents, and equipment following PPE and safety procedures.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal; strong attention to detail and work flow optimization, self-driving mindset for learning new skills/topics and engaging in discussions.

Bonus Points For

• Specialized Experience: Project or historical experience with one or more: potentiostats, materials characterization (ex. SEM/XRD/XRF), profilometry, optical microscopy, 3D printing, vacuum synthesis methods, thin films, and membranes.
• Workflow Optimization: Documentation design and control of processes relevant to R&D, troubleshooting instruments and implementing improvements for manual and automated workflows.
• Computer Literacy: Instrument software, coding experience (Python, MATLAB, and other data analysis tools), Excel for data tracking, and communication tools.
• Engineering: prototyping, 3D printing (FDM/SLA), pumps, valves, and basic engineering tools.

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

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

Compensation

We expect the base salary for this role to fall between $52,000 – $74,667 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

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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.