Senior Research Associate, In Vivo Surgery

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 new member of our Vivarium team who will support the technical execution of in vivo studies and surgeries in a fully vivarium-based capacity. In this role, you will work with PIs across all Retro research programs to deliver high-quality in vivo studies. You will apply your expertise in rodent surgery and model development and become a true partner to our scientific teams throughout the study execution.

About You

You’re a skilled in vivo professional with deep experience in rodent surgery and model development. You enjoy precise, hands-on work and value organization and technical rigor. You are highly collaborative and value clear and direct communication. Prioritizing based on the impact to Retro’s mission and overall team success, you are able to pivot quickly and support the rapid pace of our scientific programs. You are motivated to apply your technical excellence and the highest standards of animal welfare to help advance therapies that extend human healthspan!

In this role, you will::
• Perform surgical procedures, preoperative and postoperative care, and animal handling.
• Perform rodent osteoarthritis(OA) surgical and intracerebroventricular (ICV) surgery procedures.
• Execute specialized models, such as MMT and DMM, with high technical accuracy.
• Conduct intra-articular (IA) therapeutic injections for localized delivery.
• Conduct in vivo dosing support and execution of studies including IV, IM, SC, IP, PO dosing, necropsy, and tissue harvest.
• Maintain accurate surgical records, procedural notes, and animal welfare documentation in compliance with IACUC and AAALAC standards.
• Collaborate with scientists across all of Retro’s research programs to develop, optimize, and validate in vivo models aligned with program goals.
• Support study execution by collecting, processing, and recording biological samples.
• Plan animal schedules, dosing timelines, and study logistics.

You will thrive in this role if you have::
• A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or equivalent in animal or life science-related discipline.
• 5+ years of hands-on rodent surgical experience in academic or industry settings.
• Strong understanding of rodent anatomy, aseptic technique, and anesthesia/analgesia protocols.
• Demonstrated proficiency in rodent surgical procedures and perioperative care.
• Familiarity with IACUC and AAALAC standards.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Its a bonus if you have::
• Experience with complex surgical models (e.g. neuroscience models, musculoskeletal, or CNS-related therapeutic models).
• Proven expertise in MMT/DMM rat models and intraarticular injections.
• Ability to troubleshoot surgical techniques and equipment.

Work Environment :
• This position is based onsite in Retro Biosciences’ vivarium facilities, supporting ongoing in vivo programs across multiple research areas. Candidates must be comfortable working with rodents daily and performing surgical and post-operative procedures.

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.