Senior/Principal Scientist, Small Molecule Therapeutics

Your Impact at LILA The Senior/Principal Scientist, Small Molecule Therapeutics will lead early hit identification efforts, leveraging their expertise in DNA-encoded libraries (DEL) and complementary screening technologies to discover and validate novel chemical matter. This role will partner cross-functionally with Lila’s Chemistry, Computational, and Automation teams to develop and scale a best-in-class small molecule screening platform. The Senior/Principal Scientist will also drive the progression of hits through optimized biochemical and biophysical assay cascades, while identifying and securing fit-for-purpose protein sources to enable robust characterization and follow-up. What You'll Be Building Build and continuously improve DNA-encoded library (DEL) screening capabilities, tightly integrated with Lila’s AI-enabled chemistry design engine and automated/robotic synthesis platform. Design and execute DEL screening campaigns, including selection strategy, experimental execution, data interpretation, and translation into robust hit validation and hit-to-lead workflows. Develop, optimize, and run fit-for-purpose biochemical and biophysical assays to validate and characterize hits emerging from Lila’s screening platform. Evaluate, implement, and operationalize complementary screening modalities (e.g., fragment, affinity-based, functional, and other relevant approaches) to expand hit-finding coverage and diversify chemotypes. Establish and manage collaborations (internal and external) to secure high-quality protein supply suitable for high-throughput screening and assay development. Define, produce, and triage optimal protein constructs (including construct design and quality criteria) to enable reliable screening performance and confident downstream hit validation. What You'll Need to Succeed Education & experience: PhD in Biology, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field with 6–8 years of relevant drug discovery experience; or MS/BS with 10+ years of i