TL;DR

Director, Nucleic Acid Delivery (AI): Leading the discovery and engineering of next-generation targeted lipid nanoparticle systems for nucleic acid therapeutics with an accent on biological targeting and functional delivery. Focus on integrating AI-driven hypothesis generation and robotics-enabled experimentation to accelerate complex discovery cycles for diverse tissue and cell types.

Location: Cambridge, MA, USA (Onsite)

Compensation: $184,000 – $256,000 USD

Company

Lila Sciences is a scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous lab dedicated to pioneering AI-driven discovery in life sciences, chemistry, and materials science.

What you will do

  • Build and lead a high-performing interdisciplinary team of scientists and research associates.
  • Drive discovery and engineering of targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) systems and biological delivery modalities.
  • Design targeting ligands, conjugation strategies, and nanoparticle architectures for tissue-specific delivery.
  • Implement innovative biological assays and screening platforms to evaluate delivery efficiency and functional activity.
  • Collaborate with formulation teams to integrate biological targeting with lipid chemistry and nanoparticle optimization.
  • Leverage AI platforms and high-throughput automation to accelerate design-build-test-learn cycles.

Requirements

  • PhD in a relevant discipline (molecular biology, bioengineering, pharmacology) with 8-10+ years of experience OR BS/MS with 12-15+ years of experience.
  • Deep expertise in nucleic acid delivery systems, lipid nanoparticles, or genetic medicine platforms.
  • Proven track record of scientific leadership and managing multidisciplinary research teams.
  • Experience designing in vitro and in vivo assays for delivery efficiency, biodistribution, and functional activity.
  • Strong understanding of biological mechanisms including cellular uptake, endosomal escape, and intracellular trafficking.
  • Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into actionable research programs.

Nice to have

  • Direct experience with ligand-directed nanoparticle technologies.
  • Expertise in RNA therapeutics, gene editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas), or DNA therapeutics.
  • Experience integrating AI-driven tools or automated laboratory platforms into biological workflows.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for AI-enabled scientific discovery.

Culture & Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package.
  • Generous early equity.
  • Opportunity to work at the intersection of AI, robotics, and biological discovery.
  • Collaborative environment spanning biology, chemistry, and computational sciences.
  • Focus on solving fundamental challenges in human health and sustainability.