Scientist/Senior Scientist, Wet Lab

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 rejuvenate cell and tissue function 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 Applied AI team who will focus on designing and executing experiments that merge cutting-edge AI/ML models with wet lab methodologies to accelerate scientific discovery towards longevity therapeutics. This is an individual contributor role for someone who can rapidly adapt to new protocols and workflows across in vitro and in vivo contexts. About you: You're a Swiss-army knife scientist who thrives on troubleshooting. You go beyond reproducing protocols, adapting and refining them to succeed in new contexts. You take pride in working at the highest standard while moving fast, continuously optimizing for both speed and accuracy. You bring clear, transparent communication and collaborate effectively across wet lab and computational teams. You are adaptable, low ego, and able to iterate quickly based on a mission > team > self hierarchy. You're motivated to work on the forefront of aging biology and help us extend healthy lifespan. In this role, you will: Design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experimental workflows spanning protein biochemistry, cell biology, and assay development Develop and optimize protocols for high-throughput/high-content assays, rapidly iterating and adapting methods from literature to our specific needs Work across multiple expression systems and delivery modalities, troubleshooting and optimizing at each step Bridge wet lab and dry lab efforts, ensuring experimental designs efficiently test and validate computational predictions Contribute to both in vitro and in vivo studies, adapting quickly as project needs evolve Analyze and communicate findings to internal teams and external collaborators Collaborate with Retro's lab automation, therapeutic, and computational teams Work alongside and help train colleagues earlier in their careers on specific projects Stay abreast of recent developments in experimental biology to continually enhance team capabilities and workflows You might thrive in this role if you: Have a PhD in biology, bioengineering, biochemistry, or a related field (recent graduates with exceptional track records through experienced industry scientists welcome) Have strong hands-on experience with protein expression, purification, and characterization Have experience with cell culture, gene delivery methods, fluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry, and cell-based assays Have experience with rodent studies and ex vivo tissue processing (histology, gene/protein expression from tissues, etc), or strong interest in developing this expertise Have demonstrated ability to take protocols from literature and adapt them—not just reproduce them, but troubleshoot and optimize until they work Are resourceful, scrappy, and energized by solving hard problems with limited information Are comfortable with ambiguity and can drive projects forward independently Are low ego, detail-oriented, intellectually curious, and deeply pragmatic. You thrive in a culture that embraces rapid iteration and open, straightforward communication It’s a bonus if you: Have industry experience, particularly in a biotech startup environment Have experience with high content screening campaigns (CRISPRa/i/ko, ORF, or similar) Have familiarity with AI/ML concepts and working alongside computational scientists Have experience with bioinformatics analysis of transcriptomics/epigenomics/genomics data Have 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 Scientist to Senior Scientist. 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, Sacramento , Scientist/Senior Scientist, Wet Lab, Science, Research & Development , Redwood City, California