Senior Scientist, Analytical Chemistry

Lila Sciences • Cambridge, MA

1d • $148,000 - $198,000

About The Position

The Senior Scientist, Analytical Chemistry will develop and deploy advanced analytical and characterization strategies to support Discovery Chemistry across Lila’s platform. The role focuses on enabling rapid design, synthesis, screening, and optimization of small molecules and related molecular matter by generating high-quality, information-rich experimental data.

Working with Discovery Chemistry, automation, AI/computational, and screening teams, the Senior Scientist will establish and scale multimodal characterization workflows that extend beyond traditional analytical chemistry. The role will help build integrated analytical capabilities spanning compound characterization, reaction monitoring, molecular profiling, and high-throughput data generation to support iterative design–make–test–analyze cycles.

This scientist will shape Lila’s next-generation discovery engine by combining analytical chemistry expertise with high-throughput experimentation, multimodal data generation, and AI-enabled workflows.

Requirements

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 5–8+ years of relevant industry or high-performance research experience.
• Deep expertise in analytical chemistry and molecular characterization in support of chemistry-driven discovery.
• Strong hands-on experience with key analytical techniques for small-molecule analysis.
• Demonstrated experience developing analytical methods for compound characterization, reaction monitoring, impurity analysis, and purity assessment.
• Experience supporting Discovery Chemistry, medicinal chemistry, synthetic chemistry, or other molecule-focused R&D environments.
• Strong understanding of how analytical data informs compound progression, screening decisions, reaction optimization, and molecular design.
• Experience working with or supporting high-throughput workflows, including rapid analytical turnaround in fast-paced research settings.
• Ability to solve complex analytical problems independently and work effectively across interdisciplinary chemistry, screening, automation, and computational teams.
• Strong documentation, communication, and data interpretation skills, with a commitment to rigor, reproducibility, and scientific quality.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with multimodal characterization approaches combining orthogonal measurements to generate deeper insight into molecular systems and discovery workflows.
• Experience supporting high-throughput screening, reaction screening, or automated discovery platforms.
• Familiarity with analytical workflows integrated with robotics, liquid handlers, autosamplers, or other automation-enabled laboratory systems.
• Experience in AI-enabled or highly data-driven R&D environments where experimental data drives predictive modeling or closed-loop optimization.
• Knowledge of characterization approaches beyond traditional compound QC, including molecular profiling, reaction analytics, and property-focused measurements.
• Familiarity with ELNs, LIMS, and software tools for managing and analyzing large analytical datasets.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, innovative environment with evolving platform needs and cross-functional priorities.
• Strong scientific curiosity and interest in building next-generation analytical capabilities for molecular discovery.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and implement analytical and multimodal characterization workflows for Discovery Chemistry programs and molecular discovery campaigns.
• Deliver rapid, reliable, information-rich analytical data to support the design, synthesis, screening, and optimization of small molecules.
• Lead analytical method development for compound identification, purity assessment, impurity profiling, reaction monitoring, and molecular characterization using liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy, NMR, and complementary orthogonal methods.
• Build characterization strategies using multimodal measurements to provide insight into molecular identity, reaction outcomes, physicochemical properties, and structure–function relationships.
• Partner with Discovery Chemistry and screening teams to support high-throughput screening and experimentation, including rapid sample analysis, reaction triage, and compound profiling.
• Collaborate with automation and platform teams to integrate analytical instrumentation and data pipelines into robotics-enabled and scalable discovery workflows.
• Work with AI and computational teams to make analytical datasets structured, interoperable, and useful for model development, closed-loop learning, and iterative molecule design.
• Establish workflows for reaction monitoring, in-process analytics, final compound quality assessment, and characterization of complex mixtures or intermediates.
• Troubleshoot challenges involving sample preparation, instrumentation, method robustness, data interpretation, and workflow integration.
• Contribute to platform-level capabilities for data-rich molecular discovery, including scalable characterization pipelines, method standardization, and best practices for analytical rigor.

Benefits

• Competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for full-time U.S. employees.
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance.
• Flexible time off and generous company-wide holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Educational assistance program.
• Commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office-based employees.
• Company-subsidized lunch program.
• Region-tailored comprehensive benefits for full-time employees outside the U.S.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree