This is the actual job posting yes? http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobseekerx/viewjobrss.asp?cjid=29290&accountno=288
"Modeling 3D geometry" would imply that its not a side scroller or 2D game I would imagine....? I would like to know exactly what they mean by hand painted textures though.
That doesn't necessarily mean anything. This does imply one of their games isn't going to strictly use 2D assets but Retro has yet to do such a game anyway. 3D geometry is such a vague term it could mean anything but that doesn't leave out the game being a side scroller because even DKCR is a 3D game that uses "3D geometry".