Research Technician (tissue processing and cell culture)

Roman Health Pharmacy LLC; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with 4% matching

Unlimited time off and 10 companyholyd

Annual learning & development stipend

Free lunch and snacks

Job summary

Retro is hiring a new member of the HSC team to execute tissue and sample processing and collaborate with the in vivo team on time-sensitive workflows. You will grow into owning the tissue-processing workflow and, over time, potentially learn cell therapy manufacturing.

You are reliable, organized, and comfortable with mouse tissues, labeling, timing, and records. The role involves weekend coverage rotation and opportunities to contribute to SOP improvements while supporting data and sample

Qualifications

• Experience in a lab environment in academic or industry settings.
• Comfort with mouse tissues and primary samples.
• Meticulous labeling, timing and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Execute day-to-day isolation of immune cells from animal tissues (blood, bones, spleen).
• Coordinate with in vivo team to handle preclinical material promptly and correctly.
• Support media preparation, media changes and cell culture maintenance for iPSC/iHSC differentiation workflows.
• Assist with sample prep and handoff for downstream assays (e.g., flow cytometry).
• Help store and organize large datasets from readouts in collaboration with the bioinformatics team.
• Maintain accurate sample labels, culture logs, inventory and reagents tracking.
• Contribute to SOPs and improvements as workflow ownership grows.
• Maintain a clean, organized cell-culture work area.

Skills

Lab teamwork

Time-management

Attention to detail

Communication

Organizational skills

Tools

CytoFLEX

Flow cytometry

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 HSC team who will execute tissue and sample processing. You'll be the reliable engine that keeps the samples moving. Most of your time will focus on processing tissue samples and working hand-in-hand with our in vivo team to anticipate and coordinate organized, time-sensitive workflows. Over time, under the guidance of another HSC member, you'll grow into the owner of the tissue-processing workflow. As the program progresses, there will also be an opportunity for you to learn cell therapy manufacturing.

About you:

You're reliable and organized and skilled at hands-on, time-sensitive lab work. You're comfortable with mouse tissues and primary samples, and you're meticulous about labeling, timing, and records. You're collaborative and easy-going; you communicate proactively, and you bring a positive attitude to a fast-moving environment. You like being the person a team can count on to be consistent and you also understand that routines can always be improved.

What you'll do in this role:

• Own execution of day-to-day isolation of immune cells from animal tissues — blood, bones, and spleen — giving you a direct view into engraftment results.

• Coordinate closely with the in vivo team so material for preclinical studies are handled promptly and correctly.

• Support media preparation, media changes, and cell culture maintenance for iPSC/iHSC differentiation workflows, including weekend coverage as part of a team rotation.

• Assist with sample prep and handoff for downstream assays, including flow cytometry.

• Help store and organize large datasets from readouts, coordinating with the compbio team.

• Maintain accurate sample labels, culture logs, inventory, and reagent tracking.

• Contribute to SOPs and process improvements as you take ownership of the workflow.

• Help keep a clean, organized cell-culture work area.

You might thrive in this role if you:

• Have experience working in a lab environment in an academic or industry setting.

• Are comfortable working with mouse tissues.

• Have basic mammalian cell culture experience.

• Are highly organized and reliable, with high attention to detail.

• Can execute repetitive, schedule-sensitive workflows consistently and carefully.

• Follow SOPs and checklists while flagging issues and ideas quickly.

Bonus if you have experience:

• Processing primary samples - blood, bone marrow, spleen, or similar.

• Culturing iPSC and/or primary HSC cells.

• Analyzing cell composition using flow cytometry, including operation of a CytoFLEX

• Performing antibody staining and preparing immune or hematopoietic samples for flow cytometry; experience developing or optimizing staining panels is a plus.

• Managing and organizing large sample datasets (750+ samples) ensuring sample traceability.

$75,000 - $95,000 a year

At Retro, we don't use titles. New hires join as a "Member of X Team." The expectations for this role are generally aligned to the level of an early-career Research Technician.

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

• Unlimited time off and 10 company holidays per year

• Annual learning & development stipend

• Free lunch and snacks

We take pride in cultivating an environment that fosters collaboration, open communication, and authenticity. 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.