Lila Sciences · 1 day ago
Senior / Principal Scientist, Functional Materials
Cambridge, MA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$156K/yr - $246K/yr
5+ years expLila Sciences is the world’s first scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous lab for life, chemistry, and materials science. As a Senior/Principal Scientist in Functional Materials, you will lead cutting-edge R&D in functional materials, driving discovery and optimization efforts while establishing reproducible scientific workflows to translate innovations from the lab to manufacturing.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Life ScienceSoftware
Responsibilities
Define and drive the R&D roadmap with clear milestones and success criteria across discovery, optimization, and scale-up
Design, execute, and analyze experiments to tune composition, processing, and microstructure for target properties (electronic, spin, and structural)
Establish quantitative structure–property relationships using state-of-the-art characterization and modeling
Build reproducible workflows for data, documentation, and quality in collaboration with automation/ML partners (closed-loop experimentation, high-throughput methods)
Translate lab processes toward pilot/manufacturing with robust SOPs, supplier/partner interfaces, and team mentorship
Qualification
Required
PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or related field
5–7+ years in experimental physical sciences or engineering (materials science, applied physics, metallurgy, chemical engineering)
Expertise in functional materials with tailored electronic, spin, or structural properties; experience in solid-state materials discovery, synthesis, and characterization; strong background in structure–property relationships in advanced inorganic materials
Knowledge of spin-related phenomena (e.g., spintronics, magnetic resonance) and experience developing materials with tunable electronic and magnetic properties; familiarity with quantum-informed materials concepts for energy or information systems
Hands-on experience with materials synthesis (bulk, thin films, nanostructures); proficiency with characterization such as XRD, TEM, SQUID, VSM, or neutron scattering; demonstrated ability to translate materials innovations into functional devices or prototypes
Proven ability (e.g. via patents and publications) to form and lead diverse teams of cross-functional researchers in fast-paced R&D environments; strong collaboration, documentation, and EHS practices
Preferred
Experience with autonomous or AI-accelerated research systems (closed-loop experimentation, robotic lab platforms, data/ML-integrated workflows)
Powder metallurgy (powder synthesis, classification, densification) and/or advanced film/coating processes
Experience across hard and/or soft functional materials (e.g., rare-earth systems, Fe-based soft materials, nanocrystalline alloys, composites)
Proven track record transferring processes from lab toward pilot or production with measurable improvements
Supplier development, technology transfer, and external partnerships
Benefits
Bonus potential
Generous early equity
Company
Lila Sciences
Lila Sciences creates a scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous labs for life sciences, chemistry, and materials science. It is a sub-organization of Flagship Pioneering.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Lila Sciences has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (8)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$550MKey Investors
NVenturesFlagship Pioneering
2025-10-14Series A· $115M
2025-09-14Series A· $235M
2025-03-10Seed· $200M
Recent News
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2025-12-15
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