PhD Program, Microglia Therapeutics

Retro; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with 4% matching

Flexible time off and 10 companyhols

Paid parental leave

Annual learning & development stipend

Longevity stipend

Daily Retro-sponsored lunch and snacks

Job summary

Retro Biosciences is seeking a PhD fellow for its Microglia Therapeutics program, an accelerated 3-year industry-based track. You will lead aging-related research projects, work with iPSC-derived neural cell-types including microglia, and gain mentorship from leading scientists in a fast-paced startup environment.

You will contribute to protocol development, wet lab and computational experiments, and prepare thesis work while collaborating across internal groups to drive progress and publish

Qualifications

• MS in Biology or related field; fast-paced program with little intro coursework.
• Experience with standard tissue culture and tissue processing techniques.
• Proven ability to drive tasks to completion independently and in teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform mammalian cell culture and differentiation of iPSCs to neural cell-types.
• Develop 2D/3D culture protocols and optimize assays.
• Conduct cell-based and molecular assays to characterize cells and assess function.
• Collaborate with internal groups to advance research milestones.
• Publish and present results at conferences; contribute to thesis work.

Skills

Tissue culture

Self-motivation

Organization

Aging biology interest

iPSC culture experience

Differentiation of iPSCs to neural/mye

Education

MS in Biology or related field

Experience with standard tissue culture

Tools

iPSC culture

Job description

Retro Biosciences 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.

Our Microglia Therapeutics program is now accepting applications for a PhD fellow to join their team and Retro’s PhD program. Retro’s PhD is an accelerated 3-year, industry-based program.

As a fellow, you will support and lead aging and program-related research projects while progressing through key milestones designed to prepare you for a scientist role. You’ll gain exposure to a fast-paced startup environment and work under the guidance of leading scientists in the field. You’ll have access to all the resources of a well-funded company and the ability to accelerate your learning, as well as your experimentation volume. On the Microglia team, you will be involved in making iPSC-derived CNS cell-types including microglia and developing models to evaluate their therapeutic potential.

This is an accredited program with Retro College of Woolf University.

About You:

You are highly motivated and eager to develop into an exceptional scientist. You approach your work with a growth mindset, showing deep curiosity, strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn new techniques and technologies as needed. You enjoy hands‑on experimental work and value thoughtful planning, organization, careful execution, and attention to detail. You are resourceful when experiments do not go as expected and comfortable learning through quick iteration. You are a highly collaborative teammate who communicates clearly, seeking to understand others and create an environment where sharing ideas, welcoming scientific challenge, and working together helps us accomplish our mission!

In this program, you will:

• Lean into the immersive experience. This may mean experiments by day, writing in the evenings, and/or feeding cells on the weekends. It will definitely mean a huge opportunity for learning, mentorship, and personal and professional growth.
• Contribute as an active member of the Microglia team:
  • Performing regular culture of mammalian cells, mainly cell lines and iPSCs using aseptic tissue culture techniques.
  • Differentiating iPSCs to brain cell-types including microglia, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.
  • Differentiating and optimizing 2D and 3D (organoids) culture protocols.
  • Performing cell‑based and molecular assays to characterize the cells and prove function.
  • Processing animal tissue and performing downstream assays.
  • Supporting development of new assays as needed as our research quickly progresses.
• Plan and execute wet lab and/or computational experiments as part of the team and independently.
• Participate in cutting edge research with your team under your PI’s supervision.
• Select research topics collaboratively with your team, in alignment with both your program goals and Retro’s mission.
• Foster collaboration with other internal groups, including Computational Biology, Automation, Vivarium, and Operations, to drive research progress.
• Produce extensive studies; publish and present your results at relevant conferences.
• Write a thesis and conduct formal oral thesis defense before your thesis committee.
• Meet growth expectations and milestones of progressive independence and by the end of the program have developed into an independent scientist.

You will thrive in this program if you have:

General:

• An MS in Biology or a related field. This is a European-style PhD program that does not start off with intro classes like an American PhD; you need to hit the ground running.
• Experience with standard tissue culture and tissue processing techniques.
• Proven ability to drive things to completion by yourself and in the team; highly self‑motivated to make progress on research and writing.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail.
• A passion for research on aging and age‑related diseases.

Program‑specific bonus skills:

• Experience with iPSC culture.
• Experience performing differentiation of iPSCs to neural cell‑types or myeloid cells.
• Experience with cryosectioning and more specifically, working with brain tissue.

$98,638 - $98,638 a year

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 a Scientist to a Senior 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.