Shift Supervisor, Research Operations

Your Impact at LILA

Lila's Research Operations team runs the automated lab workflows that power our science. As a Shift Supervisor, you own the reliable execution of those workflows across your shift and serve as the technical lead for the engineers running them. You are the first point of accountability for run quality, the first source of operational guidance for engineers on shift, and a critical link between the bench and the automated systems behind our science.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on operational ownership, takes pride in process discipline, and knows how to keep a team and workflows running smoothly in a fast-paced, high-throughput environment.

What You'll Be Building

• Own the safe, reliable execution of automated lab workflows across your shift, meeting quality, throughput, and operational performance targets
• Serve as the technical lead for engineers on shift, providing real-time guidance, prioritization, and workflow coordination
• Monitor run performance and system health in real time, independently resolving common issues, and escalating complex problems appropriately
• Manage accurate shift handoff documentation in real time, ensuring seamless continuity with the incoming team
• Flag QC/QA deviations promptly and accurately, documenting observations with high attention to detail
• Partner with scientific, engineering, and automation teams to troubleshoot workflow challenges and improve operational performance, including ongoing relationships with scientific leads
• Support tech transfer by validating automated workflows against manual processes and partnering with cross-functional teams to resolve process gaps and improve robustness

What You'll Need to Succeed

• 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

Bonus Points For

• 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