Lila Sciences Co-Op, Electron Microscopy at Lila Sciences supports SEM characterization workflows for materials science research. The role involves operating electron microscopy instruments and optimizing protocols for AI-guided materials discovery.
Responsibilities
Lila Sciences is seeking a Co-Op, Electron Microscopy to join the Materials Science team within the Autonomous Science Platform. This co-op supports advanced SEM characterization workflows across powdered materials and thin films, working alongside synthesis, characterization, and ML scientists to turn physical experiments into high-quality data.
The work is hands-on and instrument-heavy: acquiring imaging and compositional data, refining methods, and iterating on protocols that feed Lila's materials discovery platform. It suits a PhD student who wants depth in microstructural analysis and sees how characterization data drives AI-guided materials research.
What You'll Be Building
Design and execute SEM-based characterization workflows across diverse chemistries and form factors
Operate electron microscopy instrumentation under the guidance of staff scientists
Partner with experimental scientists and engineers to optimize protocols and inform downstream analysis
Troubleshoot instrumentation and workflow issues that affect data quality
Capture imaging and analysis results in clear, reusable laboratory records
Follow safety and compliance standards for instrument and sample handling
Qualification
Hands-on expertise with EDSGuided by our core values of truth
Required
Currently enrolled in a PhD in Materials Science, Physics, or a related field
Strong background in SEM-based microstructural analysis
Hands-on expertise with EDS, EBSD, and FIB (focused ion beam)
Experience characterizing powdered materials and thin films
Demonstrated ability to operate and troubleshoot advanced SEM systems
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Preferred
Experience with image analysis tools such as ImageJ or Python-based pipelines
Familiarity with complementary techniques such as XRD or XRF
Interest in automation and integration of microscopy with AI workflows
Prior work characterizing nanoscale defects and interfaces
Lila Sciences is building Scientific SuperintelligenceTM to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves.
LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science FactoryTM instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy. Learn more at www.lila.ai.
Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.
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.