Senior Research Associate, LNP Formulations

Lila Sciences is seeking a Senior Research Associate for its Physical Sciences team to design and develop advanced microfluidic platforms for LNP synthesis and characterization. This role involves high-throughput experimentation, automation, and collaboration across interdisciplinary teams to advance therapeutic development and delivery. The candidate will execute LNP formulations, develop characterization assays, and maintain SOPs, contributing to next-generation tools in life, chemistry, and materials science.

Must Have

• Design and execute LNP formulations using microfluidic systems for high-throughput screening.
• Develop and run downstream characterization assays for nucleic acid therapeutics (DLS, ribogreen, TNS).
• Assist in designing and executing automated high-throughput experimentation workflows with microfluidic platforms and robotics.
• Collaborate with chemists, material scientists, engineers, and data scientists.
• Write, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• MSc with 3+ years or BSc with 5+ years hands-on experience in microfluidic device development and LNP synthesis.
• Strong experience with lipid nanoparticle formulations, emphasizing high-throughput production.
• Strong working knowledge of bioanalytical techniques (DLS, fluorescence spectroscopy, electrophoresis, in vitro assays).
• Strong data analysis skills and ability to interpret results for experimental design iteration.
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills.

Good to Have

• Familiarity with scale-up considerations for nanoparticle manufacturing.
• Experience with drug delivery systems beyond standard LNPs (targeted nanoparticles, linker chemistries).
• Experience using automation instruments for routine lab work.
• Familiarity with digital systems and data pipelines in high-throughput environments.

Perks & Benefits

• Bonus potential
• Generous early equity

Your Impact at Lila

We are seeking a (Senior) Research Associate to join our Physical Sciences team. This role will focus on assisting in the design and development of advanced microfluidic platforms for the controlled synthesis and characterization of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and other nanocarriers. The ideal candidate will have hands-on expertise in various LNP formulation techniques, downstream characterization assays, and experience with automation technologies. Your work will bridge the physical sciences and bioanalytical domains, enabling high-throughput experimentation integrated with real-time analytics. This position will work closely with others across the chemistry, biology, machine learning, and data science teams to help establish next-generation tools for therapeutic development and delivery.

What You'll Be Building

• Design and execute LNP formulations using various microfluidic systems, with a focus on high throughput screening to select and optimize lead formulations.
• Develop and run downstream characterization assays for nucleic acid therapeutics (including DLS, ribogreen assay, TNS assay, etc.)
• Assist in the design of, and routinely execute, automated high-throughput experimentation workflows using microfluidic platforms and robotics to synthesize nanoparticles.
• Collaborate with chemists, material scientists, engineers, and data scientists to document systems, share insights, and refine best practices in autonomous flow chemistry.
• Write, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for both existing and new lab processes.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• MSc in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field with 3+ years, or BSc with 5+ years, of hands-on experience in microfluidic device development and LNP synthesis, or related experience. Industry experience strongly preferred.
• Strong experience with lipid nanoparticle formulations, with an emphasis on high throughput production.
• Strong working knowledge of bioanalytical techniques (e.g., DLS, fluorescence spectroscopy, electrophoresis, in vitro assays).
• Strong data analysis skills and ability to interpret results, using learnings to iterate on experimental designs.
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work effectively across interdisciplinary teams.

Bonus Points For

• Familiarity with scale up considerations for nanoparticle manufacturing.
• Experience with drug delivery systems beyond standard LNPs, including targeted nanoparticles (antibody/ligand decoration, evaluating different linker chemistries, etc.)
• Experience using automation instruments to perform routine lab work.
• Familiarity with digital systems and data pipelines used in high-throughput environments.

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 $72,000–$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.