Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Characterization

Your Impact at LILA

Lila Sciences is seeking a Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Characterization to join the Materials Science team within the Autonomous Science Platform. This role focuses on operating, maintaining, and improving characterization workflows that support active materials research campaigns.

The person in this role will run and troubleshoot core characterization methods, including SEM, optical microscopy, and XRD, while helping bring new instruments and protocols into reliable use. They will partner with scientists, engineers, and platform teams to deliver high-quality measurements, document methods, and keep characterization workflows moving efficiently.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys careful experimental work, dependable lab operations, and practical method development. The ideal candidate brings strong attention to detail, comfort working with scientific equipment, and interest in building repeatable workflows that support fast, high-quality research.

What You'll Be Building

• Operate SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, and related characterization workflows.
• Prepare samples and measurement plans for routine characterization requests.
• Maintain instrument readiness through checks, calibration, documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and refine protocols for new tools, methods, and sample types.
• Deliver high-quality measurement data with clear records and traceable methods.
• Identify workflow bottlenecks and improve throughput, reliability, and data quality.
• Partner with Materials Science, platform, and operations teams on campaign needs.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• B.S. or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or a related field.
• 2 to 5 years of hands-on laboratory experience in materials characterization or adjacent workflows.
• Experience operating SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, or other common materials characterization tools.
• Strong sample preparation, measurement planning, and experimental documentation skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot instruments, workflows, and data-quality issues.
• Comfort following SOPs while improving protocols as methods mature.
• Strong communication skills for coordinating with scientists, engineers, and operations teams.

Bonus Points For

• Familiarity with materials sample preparation for microscopy or diffraction workflows.
• Experience onboarding new lab equipment, methods, or characterization protocols.
• Comfort working in high-throughput or service-oriented lab environments.
• Basic data analysis, visualization, or scripting experience for measurement workflows.