Scientist, iPSC Differentiation

Company: Retro
Location: Redwood City
Posted on: February 18, 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 at first and later on clinical lot production of iPSC-derived HSCs 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. Bringing a clear, transparent communication style, you collaborate effectively with specialists of various backgrounds (bench and computational 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: Adapt differentiation protocol to large-scale production in bioreactors and optimize banking of final product for clinical use. Optimize differentiation process for reproducible and predictable cell output. Own the full process of producing high-quality cell products that will be transplanted into patients: maintain iPSCs, prepare and change media, analyze cells using flow cytometry, and formulate a final cell product. Transfer differentiation and formulation protocols to the GMP environment. Assist in processing mouse tissues and performing flow cytometry to characterize cell function. Work collaboratively across Retro teams such as Technical In-Vivo, Computational Biology, Automation, and Quality and Analytics. 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 4 or 6 years of relevant experience in industry, respectively, or a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related discipline with 2 years of relevant experience in industry. Have 4 years of hands-on experience with primary cell culture. Have 2 years of experience in converting iPSCs into specialized cells. Enjoy standardizing lab practices and establishing highly reproducible protocols. Have experience with cell characterization using flow cytometry. Have excellent note-taking skills and take pride in maintaining detailed ELN. Proficient in designing and coordinating projects across multiple parties. Proficient in communicating results of experiments. Are familiar with GMP. Learn quickly and 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 cell therapies in bioreactors. Successfully transferred manual processes to automated systems. At Retro, we don’t use titles. New hires join as a “Member of X Team.” Depending on experience, this role could flex from what might be traditionally regarded as 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 - Monthly Longevity 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, Novato , Scientist, iPSC Differentiation, Science, Research & Development , Redwood City, California