Analytical Sciences, Small Molecule

Job Description

Job Description

Retro develops therapies for diseases driven by the biology of aging. We focus on cellular reprogramming and autophagy to broadly improve tissue function by targeting mechanisms of aging 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.

About the Role:

We are hiring a new member of the Autophagy team to be the primary scientist supporting Retro’s clinical stage autophagy program through analytical development and quality control as it advances from Phase I toward Phase II development. This role will report to the leader of the autophagy team and partner closely with the CMC lead and Quality team to develop and execute the analytical strategy for RTR242 as well as next-generation compounds. 

About You:

You are a rigorous, curious, small-molecule analytical development professional who seeks to understand the underlying science and regulatory framework, not just execute against it. You stay current by engaging directly with guidelines, literature, and data, and pair scientific depth with practical judgment. You are confident yet humble in evolving areas and enjoy sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas openly. You are comfortable in a lean environment, balancing hands-on work with oversight of external partners. You communicate clearly across internal and external partners, and are excited to thoughtfully incorporate new tools, including AI, into analytical and CMC workflows.

in this role you will:

• Drive and own analytical control strategy development for Retro’s small molecule autophagy program – test methods, specifications, stability, and impurity control for drug substance and drug product – as it advances from Phase I toward Phase II.

• Develop analytical methods internally, with hands-on UPLC and LC-MS work, including characterization of process impurities and degradation products.

• Transfer methods to external partners.

• Oversee outsourced analytical and QC activities, including method development, validation, release testing, stability monitoring, OOS/OOT investigations, and data package review.

• Support identity testing for critical raw materials, including method selection, vendor coordination, data review, and targeted in-house analytical work.

• Support formulation development by using analytical data to evaluate solubility, dissolution, stability, and provide analytical support to discovery and preclinical programs. 

• Author and review analytical sections of Module 3 submissions, covering methods, specifications, validation, stability and control strategy.

• Partner with the CMC lead and quality team, and manage external CDMOs and CROs. 

• Support bioanalytical development work for future generations of the compound.  

You might thrive in this role if you:

• Have a MS or PhD in analytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field, with 7+ years relevant industry experience in small-molecule analytical development, including experience in a regulated GxP environment.

• Understand phase-appropriate analytical control strategy, including specifications, stability strategy, impurity control, reference standards, method validation, and regulatory documentation.

• Have experience developing, validating, transferring, and overseeing analytical methods for drug substance and drug product release, stability, dissolution, and impurity testing.

• Have experience working with CDMOs, CROs, or external laboratories to manage analytical development, validation, release testing, stability testing, investigations, and data review.

• Bring hands-on expertise with UPLC/HPLC and LC-MS method development, troubleshooting, and data interpretation for small molecule assay, purity, impurities, degradation products, and related substances.

• Can operate independently in a lean environment, prioritize across internal hands-on work and external partner oversight, and communicate analytical recommendations clearly to cross-functional partners.

It’s a bonus if you:

• Have run LC-MS/MS for drugs and metabolites in complex biological matrices. 

• Have experience contributing to or reviewing analytical sections of CTD Module 3 submissions; direct authoring experience is preferred.

• Have worked on extractables and leachables, container closure, or device compatibility studies.

• Have supported discovery or preclinical programs with analytical data to accelerate progression decisions. 

At Retro, we do not use internal job titles. New hires join as a “Member of X Team.” For external calibration, this role may map to different market-equivalent levels depending on experience, independence, and scope.

Total compensation includes competitive base salary, generous equity, and benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with 4% matching; flexible time off; paid parental leave; an annual learning & development stipend; monthly longevity stipend; and 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.