Machine Learning Scientist at lilasciences

Compensation

$176,000 – $304,000/yr

Setup: Remote
Location: San Francisco, California
Type: Full-time
Level: not_specified
Posted: Jul 27, 2026

Description

Lila Sciences is looking for an ML Scientist I/II specializing in Nucleic Acid Design. This role involves developing and optimizing models for RNA and DNA sequence design, focusing on various aspects like 3’ UTR, 5’ UTR, CDS, and promoter/enhancer design. The scientist will bridge machine learning, sequence modeling, experimental design, and platform development, contributing to both applied design campaigns and new model creation.

Required Skills

Machine Learning
Sequence Modeling
Experimental Design
Platform Development
PyTorch
JAX

Additional Information

Minimum Education: PhD or equivalent experience in machine learning, computational biology, bioengineering, computer science, statistics, or a related quantitative field.
Required Previous Experiences: Hands-on experience building, training, and evaluating ML models for DNA or RNA.
Experience developing models for sequence design, sequence-function prediction, generative modeling, or active learning.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with regulatory element design, sequence-to-expression DNA models, or models trained on genomic, MPRA, STARR-seq, or related functional genomics data.
Experience with RNA sequence-function modeling, RNA secondary structure modeling, UTR design, or inverse design methods for RNA sequences.
Experience with sequence design in applied therapeutic contexts.
Experience collaborating with wet-lab teams to close the design-test-learn loop, including assay design, experimental prioritization, and interpretation of validation data.
Familiarity with high-throughput experimental datasets, pooled screens, reporter assays, or other sequence-function measurements.
Industry experience translating ML research into practical biological design workflows, experimental campaigns, or platform capabilities.