PhD Program, Rejuvenation Science
Redwood City, CA
Science /
Full-time /
On-site
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.
This is a 3-year accelerated PhD program offered by Retro Biosciences in conjunction with the recently accredited Retro College of Woolf University. Under the guidance of world’s leading scientists in the field, fellows will support and lead aging research research projects, progressing through key milestones designed to prepare them for a scientist role.
In this role, you will:
- Engage directly in sculpting the future of our company by actively participating in the design and implementation of experiments
- Take a hands-on role in planning and executing molecular and cell biological assays, from data analysis to sharing results with both our internal team and external partners
- Foster collaboration with other internal groups, including Computational Biology, Automation, Animal Facilities, Flow Cytometry, and Operations, to drive innovation and progress
- Ensure the laboratory remains meticulously organized and operational, upholding our standards of excellence
- In addition to supporting the research, produce extensive study and writing, like in any PhD, as well as undertake a commitment to writing a significant thesis and preparing for thesis defense. This is an immersive role, and not to be taken lightly.
You might thrive in this role if you:
- Are driven by a passion for research in cellular reprogramming and rejuvenation
- Have a B.S with 2+ years lab experience or M.S.
- Demonstrate proficiency in essential molecular and cellular biology techniques. Some examples of things you might already know (both otherwise will learn) are real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and imaging, mammalian cell culture, lentiviral (LV), non-integrating lentiviral (NILV), and mRNA-based gene delivery methods, ELISA, and flow cytometry
- Have a working understanding of cellular reprogramming and next-generation sequencing (NGS)
- Have lab management experience
- Have a bit of industry experience would be great, but not required
- Eager to embrace new technologies, with the ability to critically assess scientific literature and effectively communicate important findings to other scientist both inside and outside Retro
- Exhibit outstanding teamwork and communication skills
- Are exceptionally well-organized with robust planning capabilities and meticulous attention to detail
If a fellow successfully meets growth expectations and milestones of progressive independence over the 3-year program period, the fellow will be offered a Scientist position at Retro. Additionally, this opportunity will also equip them with competitive research skills including high-throughput screening, gene editing and delivery, omics data generation, and strategies to develop therapy approaches to tackle aging and age-related diseases.
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.
The annual salary for this role is $90,450. Total compensation also includes generous equity, as well as these benefits and perks:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family
- 401(k) plan with 4% matching
- “Unlimited” time off and 10 company holidays per year (with mgr approval)
- Paid parental leave
- Annual learning & development stipend
- Free lunch and snacks
