Cytogenetics Technologist

About the role

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 are building a mission-driven team of accomplished and kind individuals who embrace our startup culture of rapid iteration, transparency, and versatility.

Responsibilities

• Transfer in, implement, and document an established G-banding and karyotyping workflow in-house for HSC program cell products.
• Execute the full cytogenetics workflow (initially in research/PD and then in our GMP suite): metaphase arrest, cell harvest, hypotonic treatment, slide preparation, fixation, Giemsa staining, metaphase imaging, and software-assisted karyotype analysis.
• Compare initial in-house results against historical data and document appropriate operating and quality-control criteria.
• Analyze metaphase spreads to identify numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities, and document findings clearly.
• Support genomic-stability assessment of human primary cells.
• Culture, passage, expand, bank, and prepare iPSC samples in preparation for karyotyping.
• Track clone-level genomic stability, passage number, culture conditions, and QC status across lines.
• Coordinate with CROs shipments of samples for genomic instability analysis.
• Maintain organized records, sample tracking, and imaging files, and develop SOPs for the workflows you build.

Requirements

You're a careful, hands-on technologist who takes pride in high-quality chromosome preparations and confident karyotype calls. You are comfortable bringing an established cytogenetics workflow into a new laboratory environment—setting up the process, confirming that it performs consistently, documenting it clearly, and troubleshooting issues as they arise. You're at home at the microscope and equally happy in a tissue-culture hood keeping iPSC lines healthy. You're collaborative, easy-going, proactive in how you communicate, and flexible about scheduling when the culture rotation calls for it.

Qualifications

• Have several years of hands-on G-banding and karyotype analysis experience, with demonstrated ability to make independent chromosome assessments and troubleshoot chromosome preparation and image quality.
• Have experience with imaging software such as MetaSystems / Ikaros or Cytovision.
• Have hands-on mammalian cell culture experience with strong sterile technique.
• Are comfortable with high-magnification microscopy.
• Are highly organized and able to run multiple clone/sample workflows in parallel.
• Are available for weekend work as part of a team rotation.

Skills

• Hands-on G-banding and karyotype analysis experience.
• Experience with imaging software.
• Hands-on mammalian cell culture experience.
• High-magnification microscopy skills.
• Organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Flexibility with scheduling.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range of $110,000 - $140,000 per year, along with:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family.
• A 401(k) plan with 4% matching.
• Unlimited time off and 10 company holidays per year.
• An annual learning & development stipend.
• Free lunch and snacks.

Pay

$110,000 - $140,000 per year

Schedule

Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.