Scientist, Pooled Functional Screening

Lila Sciences • Cambridge, MA

20d • $108,000 - $170,000

About The Position

We are seeking a curious, driven, and collaborative Scientist to join our discovery platform team with a focus on designing and executing ultra–high-throughput pooled functional assays. You will develop novel workflows that utilize next-generation pooled screening strategies using cell-free, in-cell, or compartmentalized systems, generating rich biological datasets that feed directly into Lila’s machine learning models. This is a unique opportunity to help invent a new approach to biological discovery by integrating synthetic biology, high-throughput experimentation, and intelligent automation.

Requirements

• MSc with 3+ years of industry or academic experience, or PhD in a relevant field (molecular biology, bioengineering, synthetic biology, chemical biology, etc.)
• Experience in pooled or multiplexed screening formats using DNA/protein libraries
• Hands-on expertise in cell-free protein synthesis and/or in-cell enzyme activity assays
• Proficiency in fluorescence-based assays and droplet microfluidics or FACS-based sorting
• Familiarity with NGS-based readouts or proteomics techniques for measuring functional outputs

Nice To Haves

• Experience with custom microfluidic workflows or droplet generation for biochemical assays
• Strong programming or scripting background (e.g., Python, R) for data analysis or automation integration
• Experience in mass spectrometry-based multiplexed peptide quantification
• Experience with imaging based high throughput screens in cells

Responsibilities

• Design and execute pooled protein activity assays across, cell-free, in vitro and in-cell contexts
• Develop functional droplet-based workflows for ultra–high-throughput screening of protein libraries
• Build and express diverse DNA libraries for high-throughput evaluation
• Interface with our data sciences, automation, and life sciences teams to scale up throughput and data fidelity
• Support end-to-end workflow development including protein expression, purification, and activity readouts via fluorescence, NGS, or MS

Benefits

• We expect the base salary for this role to fall between $108,000–$170,000 USD per year, along with bonus potential and generous early equity.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees