Shift Supervisor, Research Operations

Lila Sciences Lila Sciences · AI Frontier · Alewife, Cambridge, MA +1 · Autonomous Science Platform

This role is for a Shift Supervisor in Research Operations at Lila Sciences, focusing on the reliable execution of automated lab workflows. The supervisor will serve as the technical lead for engineers, ensuring quality and operational performance, troubleshooting issues, and managing shift handoffs. The role requires experience in lab automation, operating automated liquid handling platforms, and leading teams in a fast-paced environment.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own the safe, reliable execution of automated lab workflows across your shift, meeting quality, throughput, and operational performance targets
  2. Serve as the technical lead for engineers on shift, providing real-time guidance, prioritization, and workflow coordination
  3. Monitor run performance and system health in real time, independently resolving common issues, and escalating complex problems appropriately
  4. Manage accurate shift handoff documentation in real time, ensuring seamless continuity with the incoming team
  5. Flag QC/QA deviations promptly and accurately, documenting observations with high attention to detail

Skills

Required

  • 3–5 years of hands-on experience in lab automation, research operations, high-throughput screening, or a closely related technical environment
  • Experience operating and troubleshooting automated liquid handling platforms (Hamilton, Lynx, Echo, or similar) in a production or research setting
  • Experience leading and coordinating workflow execution in a team setting, including providing direction to peer engineers, managing competing priorities, and maintaining operational continuity in real time
  • Strong foundational knowledge of the scientific basis for assay design, execution, and interpretation
  • Experience identifying operational issues, performing root-cause investigation, and driving issues to resolution
  • Clear, concise communicator with the ability to collaborate effectively across Research Operations, scientific, and engineering teams

Nice to have

  • Degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent technical training and hands-on experience
  • Prior experience in a shift lead, supervisor, or lead technician role in a highly automated or high-throughput laboratory environment
  • Experience improving production protocols, supporting tech transfer, or validating workflows from manual bench execution to automated platforms
  • Familiarity with QC/QA systems, deviation management, SOP development, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, 5S, Kaizen)
  • Familiarity with electronic lab notebooks (ELN), LIMS, or other laboratory operations software platforms

What the JD emphasized

  • reliable execution
  • operational ownership
  • process discipline
  • technical lead
  • operational guidance
  • run quality
  • operational performance targets
  • real-time guidance
  • prioritization
  • workflow coordination
  • system health
  • common issues
  • complex problems
  • shift handoff documentation
  • continuity
  • QC/QA deviations
  • high attention to detail
  • troubleshoot workflow challenges
  • operational performance
  • ongoing relationships
  • tech transfer
  • validate automated workflows
  • manual processes
  • process gaps
  • improve robustness