Vivarium Operations Leader
Redwood City, CA
Operations /
Full-time /
On-site
We are a well-funded, untraditional bio startup based in Redwood City. Our mission is to extend healthy human lifespan by 10 years. We believe the deeper, underlying causes of age-related diseases are the untreated mechanisms of aging itself.
We are seeking someone to join our Vivarium Team and lead vivarium operations. In this role, you will split your time approximately 40%:60%, desk work: hands-on vivarium operations work.
About You:
You are well-organized with a sharp eye for detail. You are energetic and excited to work hands-on alongside your team, learning from and teaching each other. You are adaptable and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You value collaboration and communicate well with people of varying levels and across different teams.
What you’ll do in this role:
- Run vivarium operations: colony management, ordering, inventory, health monitoring, training logs, etc
- Lead, mentor, and develop animal care technicians
- Develop relationships and clear communication with cross-functional teams to accurately prioritize, procure, and allocate vivarium work and resources
- Maintain vivarium in excellent condition; ensuring animal health and well-being at all times
- Oversee training and compliance against IACUC protocol and pass semi-annual IACUC programmatic reviews and facilities inspections
- Drive vivarium-based initiatives independently; identify and create process improvements and efficient workflows that enable Retro to move science forward
- Train scientists and vivarium staff in vivarium operational procedures, compliance, and workflows
- Manage our breeding animal colonies, including, as needed, genotyping
- Maintain electronic records in a complete, consistent, and concise manner in accordance with company practices
- Maintain biosecurity; run the sentinel program of a specific pathogen-free facility
You might thrive in this role if you have:
- A degree in Animal Science or related field (DVM, VM, rVT) OR equivalent industry experience
- 5+ years of experience managing a vivarium or animal facility, including colony management and husbandry
- Experience working with genetically engineered mouse (GEM) and immunocompromised models
- 2+ years of people management experience
- LATG or higher certification preferred
- Proficiency with Google Workspace
- Experience using project management software
- Demonstrated ability to be resourceful and creatively solve unusual problems
- Demonstrated ability to move fast, while maintaining a high level of attention to detail, organization, and follow-through
$100,000 - $150,000 a year
Total compensation also includes generous equity and benefits.
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
- Paid parental leave
- Annual learning & development stipend
- Daily free 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.
