Scientist I / II, Robotics

As a Robotics Scientist at Lila, you will lead the research and development of autonomous robotic systems that serve as the intelligent physical infrastructure of our scientific superintelligence platform. You’ll develop novel algorithms and deploy intelligent robotic solutions that interact seamlessly with human scientists and complex lab environments. Your work will accelerate our mission by enabling fully autonomous workflows for scientific discovery, combining cutting-edge robotics, machine learning, and systems engineering.

• Design and develop autonomous robotic systems for transport and workcell operations, integrating advanced path planning, navigation, and motion planning algorithms
• Build production-grade mobile manipulation platforms leveraging ROS/ROS2 and modular robotic architectures
• Advance robotic perception by integrating sensing modalities such as 3D vision, LIDAR, and tactile sensors to enable robust, adaptable task execution
• Use simulation environments to model, test, and optimize task planning, scheduling, and robot behaviors in diverse lab scenarios
• Collaborate with AI, mechanical, and software engineering teams to translate theoretical robotics research into real-world autonomous systems

• Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent research experience
• Expertise in motion planning, path planning, and navigation for manipulation and mobile robotics
• Proficiency with ROS/ROS2, C++, and Python, with hands-on experience building robotic systems in real-world environments
• Deep understanding of perception systems and sensor integration (e.g., camera, LIDAR, tactile sensors)
• Proven ability to take robotic systems from concept through to deployment

• Experience with dual-arm mobile manipulation systems or other high-DOF robotic platforms
• Familiarity with simulation tools such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or PyBullet
• Background in machine learning for perception, control, or adaptive planning
• Experience with real-time decision-making in human-robot collaboration scenarios
• Strong publication or patent record in robotics, autonomy, or perception

Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ 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 Factory™ 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.

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