Research Automation Lead
Redwood City, CA
Lab Automation /
Full-time /
On-site
Retro Biosciences is a fast-growing biopharma startup using high-throughput, high-dimensional approaches to develop therapies for diseases driven by the biology of aging. We are looking to expand our exceptional team at our Redwood City location.
We are looking for a highly organized and self-motivated person to lead our Research Automation team. The research automation team is a multifaceted team of scientists and engineers who partner with our scientific programs to automate and streamline their processes and accelerate the science. As a leader of the team, you will coordinate the team’s efforts towards the highest-impact solutions for Retro. You should be someone who craves a challenge and feels energized to roll up their sleeves alongside the group. You will report to the CEO.
This position is an onsite role based in Redwood City.
Responsibilities
- Work cross-functionally to develop a deep understanding of the scientific processes and identify the key bottlenecks that could be improved with automation.
- Research and continually develop your knowledge of state-of-the-art tools that Retro can use to advance our research in innovative ways.
- Work in lock-step with scientific teams to automate key experiments and increase research velocity, as well as develop novel assays in-house.
- Develop a deep understanding of the skills within the automation team in order to most effectively allocate team time and resources.
- Work as a collaborative leader to align automation team on the highest-impact work for Retro as a whole.
Qualifications (at least 2/3 of these):
- Highly knowledgeable in a bio/technical or bioengineering discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience.
- Have led the deployment of automated cell culture systems.
- Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Knowledge of commercial liquid handling systems.
- Experience with assay development.
- Proficiency with any major programming language (especially python).
- Experience with one or more of the following standard life-science application areas: microbiology, molecular biology, flow cytometry, high content analysis (HCA), high throughput screening (HTS), genomics, and sequencing.
You will enjoy this role if:
- You are excited about 10x faster iteration loops than big pharma & academic labs and vertical integration of core, mission-critical functions.
- You enjoy highly cross-functional work and can balance multiple competing priorities.
- You lead through collaboration with and empowerment of your team.
- You practice clear and direct communication.
- You iterate rapidly to find the unknown unknowns.
- You are happy to jump in and help with any task that comes your way.
- You are enthusiastic about creatively experimenting, learning, and improving.
$150,000 - $190,000 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 company-sponsored lunch and snacks
About Retro
Our leadership team is a group of mission-driven, kind, and thoughtful individuals. We take pride in evolving a work environment that fosters collaboration, open communication, and authenticity. We believe that great results are best delivered by a highly creative group working in concert. We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company; we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
