Co-Op, Characterization Electrodeposited Material

Lila Sciences • Cambridge, MA

13d

About The Position

Lila Sciences is hiring a co-op to join the Materials Science team within the Autonomous Science Platform. The role focuses on characterizing electrodeposited metal films and developing repeatable measurement methods. Deposition is handled by other scientists; this position focuses on measurement, method development, and data quality.

The work spans electrical, surface, structural, and mechanical characterization techniques, including four-point probe measurements for sheet resistance and resistivity, laser confocal metrology for thickness, step height, and roughness, XRD and EBSD for phase, texture, and grain structure, and hardness testing for mechanical properties. The co-op will help establish these methods by defining sample preparation, acquisition settings, and acceptance criteria that produce consistent results across operators and sample batches.

The co-op will work alongside scientists and engineers in a laboratory designed for high-throughput, automated experimentation. Developed protocols will inform how characterization measurements are scaled.

Requirements

• Pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience operating materials characterization instruments in a lab.
• Hands-on experience with hardness testing, such as micro- or nano-indentation, or other hardness testing.
• Hands-on experience with metallographic or SEM sample preparation.
• Experience analyzing XRD data.
• Working knowledge of thin films, metal microstructure, or surface metrology.
• Careful experimental technique and detailed record keeping.
• Available for the full Spring co-op term, January through May.

Nice To Haves

• Master's or PhD candidates are preferred.
• Python experience for data analysis and visualization.
• Experience analyzing EBSD data, such as with MTEX, OIM, or AZtec Crystal.
• Hands-on SEM and/or FIB experience.
• Direct experience with four-point probe, optical profilometry, or laser confocal systems.
• Familiarity with electrodeposited metals or electrochemical materials processing.
• Experience developing or qualifying a new measurement method, such as gauge R&R.
• Exposure to automated or high-throughput laboratory workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop sample preparation and measurement protocols for electrodeposited-film characterization using four-point probe, hardness testing, and SEM/EBSD.
• Prepare samples for SEM and EBSD, including mounting, polishing, and surface cleanup.
• Run four-point probe, laser confocal metrology, and hardness measurements.
• Analyze XRD data, including phase identification, texture, peak shift, and crystallite size.
• Analyze EBSD data, including grain size, orientation, and texture.
• Validate measurement repeatability and establish data quality criteria.
• Analyze and visualize characterization data, and document methods and failure modes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed