Vivo Scientist, Musculoskeletal Research

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 seeking a motivated Scientist to support the development of rejuvenation therapies for osteoarthritis (OA). In this role, you will focus on building and executing the in vivo portion of the OA research, in particular, disease model development, drug dosing, and the downstream readouts including histopathology, molecular/cellular characterization, and behavior readouts. You will report to the Tissue Reprogramming lead.

You have a good understanding of Musculoskeletal biology and have hands-on experience in related histology. You enjoy hands-on work and value being organized, planning proactively, and paying attention to the details. You’re a highly collaborative team member with a “can-do” attitude and you apply a “Mission > team > individual” mindset to your work. You value direct, clear communication. You’re motivated to work on a forefront of science and produce therapies that improve patients’ health span!

• Support the development of the osteoarthritis (OA) research pipeline, working collaboratively with in vitro focused team members.
• Drive in vivo side of the program, including designing and executing OA studies with either healthy animals or disease models, performing drug administration, histological analysis, and comprehensive characterization (biodistribution, gene expression profiling, PK/PD, and toxicology).
• Perform and train technical in vivo team members on surgical induction of osteoarthritis models in mice and rats.
• Conduct intra-articular (IA) injections for therapeutic delivery.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Vivarium, Computational biology) to integrate preclinical findings.
• Maintain accurate records and protocols, analyze and interpret experimental data; provide scientific and development insights and in-depth data interpretation to inform decision-making within the team and for senior leadership.
• Work with other departments and CROs as necessary to plan and expedite project objectives.

• Have a PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Physiology or related field, with at least 2 years of industry or post-doctoral experience.
• Have proven experience designing, leading, and conducting in vivo experiments.
• Have prior research experiences in musculoskeletal biology and osteoarthritis research.
• Hands‑on experience in drug dosing, microsurgical model generation for osteoarthritis, histology, immunohistochemistry, and/or immunofluorescence.
• Are experienced in analyzing and quantifying histological and imaging data.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills; thrive in a highly interdisciplinary, team‑first environment.
• Are passionate about novel translational research and rejuvenation therapies.
• Are intellectually curious, timeline sensitive, and detail‑oriented; maintaining high standards for research data while actively and accurately communicating your findings.

• Have expertise in structural damage assessment, including histopathology (e.g., OARSI scoring) and advanced imaging modalities.
• Are familiar with behavioral and functional assessments relevant to OA (e.g., weight bearing, gait analysis).
• Have prior experience in gene therapy development.

$130,000 - $170,000 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 a Scientist to a Senior Scientist level.

Total compensation includes competitive base salary, 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
• 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 based on 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.