Scientist, Reprogramming

Company: Retro
Location: Redwood City
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Retro develops therapies for diseases driven by the biology of aging. We focus on cellular reprogramming and autophagy to broadly improve tissue function by targeting mechanisms of aging with the ultimate aim of adding 10 years to healthy human lifespan. We’re building a mission-driven team of accomplished and kind individuals who embrace our startup culture of rapid iteration, transparency, and versatility. We are hiring a new member of the HSC Therapeutics team who will focus on process development and clinical lot production of GMP-ready iPSC through scalable manufacturing. About you: You’re eager to learn and approach work with a “can-do” attitude and a hands-on nature. You take pride in working at the highest standard, continuously optimizing research practices for both high speed and accuracy . You value being organized and detail-oriented. With a clear, transparent communication style, who can collaborate effectively with specialists of various backgrounds (cell biologist, quality control scientists, operational and logistic specialists). You are adaptable and able to iterate quickly and reprioritize based on a mission > team > self hierarchy. You’re motivated to work on the forefront of science and help us extend healthy lifespan! In this role you will: Establish and validate processes to generate iPSCs at scale and within clinically-driven time limits. Design and lead experiments that generate and characterize iPSCs ensuring their high quality for preclinical safety studies. Optimize primary cell isolation from the patient's starting material. Lead tech transfer of iPSC protocols into GMP manufacturing. Design and execute experiments establishing scalable manufacturing processes of GMP-grade iPSCs through research automation. Work with the Quality and Analytics team to define iPSC quality attributes. Maintain detailed and accurate records of experimental procedures and results. Maintain electronic records in GMP manufacturing and contribute to supporting documents, such as SOPs. Generate and characterize iPSCs for clinical use. Be part of a rotational weekend work schedule. You might thrive in this role if you: Have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology or a relevant field and at least 6 or 4 years of relevant experience in industry, respectively, or a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related discipline. Have 4 years of hands-on experience generating, maintaining and characterizing iPSC lines. Have experience with cell characterisation techniques (like FACS/flow cytometry, IF/microscopy, karyotyping). Proficient in designing and coordinating experiments across multiple parties. Proficient in communicating results of experiments internally and externally. Are familiar with good manufacturing practices. Have experience optimizing protocols for gene delivery into primary cells ex vivo. Learn quickly, establish and follow protocols precisely. It's a bonus if you: Have experience working in a GMP environment. Have experience with process development and scaling iPSC production for cell therapies. Have experience in isolating cells from human donors. At Retro, we don’t use titles. New hires join as a “Member of X Team.” Depending on experience, this role could flex from an Associate Scientist to a Scientist level. Total compensation also includes generous equity and benefits including: - Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family - 401(k) plan with 4% matching - Flexible time off and 10 company holidays per year - Paid parental leave - Annual learning & development stipend - Daily Retro-sponsored lunch and snacks We take pride in cultivating an environment that fosters collaboration, open communication, and authenticity. We believe that great results are best delivered by a highly creative team working in concert. We are an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are diverse in background and singular in mission. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Keywords: Retro, Elk Grove , Scientist, Reprogramming, Science, Research & Development , Redwood City, California