Platform Scientist I/II, Functional Materials Instrumentation
Cambridge, MA USA · Alewife, Cambridge · USD 108,000-170,000 · Onsite · Posted Oct 6, 2026
At a glance
- Workplace
- Onsite
- Location
- Cambridge, MA USA · Alewife, Cambridge
- Salary
- USD 108,000-170,000 · Base salary
About the role
- Lila Sciences is seeking a Platform Scientist I/II to design and integrate custom instruments and specialized hardware for functional materials innovation.
- The role involves fabricating, characterizing, and testing novel materials while integrating instrumentation into autonomous lab and AI-driven experimental workflows.
- This position sits at the intersection of hardware design, materials science, solid-state physics, and automated experimentation.
Responsibilities
- Establish fabrication and measurement workflows for functional materials.
- Specify, source, assemble, and validate custom synthesis and characterization systems.
- Emphasize optical characterization methods in system development.
- Lead integration of instrumentation into autonomous lab and AI-driven experimental workflows.
- Diagnose, iterate, and improve instrument designs based on experimental feedback.
- Partner with computational, synthesis, and characterization teams to define future hardware capabilities.
Requirements
- PhD or equivalent experience in applied physics, materials science, chemistry, or a related field.
- Scientific domain expertise in functional materials (semiconductor, photonics, superconducting materials, etc.).
- Expertise in solid state syntheses and characterization for functional materials.
- Proven ability to build and integrate hardware for novel and high throughput experimentation.
- Ability to work in fast, data-driven, high-throughput R&D environments.
Preferred qualifications
- Proficient in writing software for controls, data collection, and analysis.
- CAD, machining/3D printing, and rapid prototyping for custom hardware.
- Knowledge of AI/ML-driven discovery workflows or autonomous lab platforms.
- Experience with class 4 lasers
Benefits
- Competitive base compensation
- Bonus potential
- Early-stage equity
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- Flexible time off
- Paid parental leave
- Educational assistance program
- Commuter benefits
- Company subsidized lunch program
Workplace
- Located in Alewife, Cambridge, MA.
- Office-based employees receive commuter benefits including bike share memberships.
- Company subsidized lunch program provided for office-based employees.
Skills
- Optical Characterization
- CAD
- 3D Printing
- Machining
- Rapid Prototyping
- AI/ML
- Class 4 Lasers