Associate Specialist

AstraZeneca plc; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Health benefits

Paid vacation

Overtime pay

Bonus and incentive programs

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD is seeking an Associate Specialist for the Clinical Production team to grow in bioprocessing within a cGMP setting. You will support cell culture, purification, and large-scale development activities under supervision, gaining hands-on experience across multiple unit operations.

You will join a collaborative team at a world-class biopharmaceutical company, with opportunities to advance and contribute to process improvements while supporting clinical manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science field with 0-4 years’ experience.
• Introductory knowledge of cell culture operations and related equipment.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment.
• Familiarity with production equipment such as washers, autoclaves, tanks.
• Familiarity with basic chemistry concepts.
• Introductory knowledge of raw material weigh‑out and media/buffer preparation.
• Demonstrates a drive to learn and improve processes within cGMP clinical manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Operate bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment (incubators, bioreactors, mixers, centrifuges, autoclaves).
• Conduct steam sterilization, clean in place, and sanitization.
• Keep accurate records in cGMP documents and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare for processing by ensuring materials and equipment are ready.
• Maintain a safe, compliant work environment per AstraZeneca standards.
• Utilize MS Office and AZ systems for documentation.

Skills

Cell culture

Bioreactor operations

Depth filtration

Centrifuge harvest

Sterilization

cGMP

Team collaboration

Equipment familiarity

Chemistry basics

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a science field

Tools

MS Office

AZ enterprise systems

Job description

Do you have a passion for science? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life-changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

About AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD:

Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world. This campus employs more than 3,500 experts in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of the most cutting-edge technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.

The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help boost productivity and help keep our employees happy and healthy. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-service cafeteria and copy center. This is where you’ll find newly designed, activity-based workspaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams.

Summary of the group:

As an associate specialist in the Clinical production team within Biopharmaceutical Development, you’ll build broad knowledge of bioprocessing in a cGMP environment to launch your career in the biopharmaceutical industry. In this role you will take an adaptable, science driven approach to everything you do.

You will become an integral part of process development, accelerating product candidates into the clinic and gaining knowledge and experience in cell culture, purification and critical support activities. Under the supervision of highly trained personnel, you will gain the process knowledge and skillsets to perform large scale clinical development activities. You will join a collaborative and driven team in a world class biopharmaceutical company.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Operates bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment such as: incubators, stainless steel and disposable bioreactors, single-use mixers, centrifuges, washers, autoclaves, tanks and in-process testing instruments.
• Performs steam sterilization, clean in place, manual cleaning and sanitization of equipment
• Records manufacturing activities clearly and accurately within approved current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) documents and regulatory requirements.
• Prepares for processing by ensuring equipment and materials necessary are adequate and available.
• Ensures a safe and environmentally sustainable work environment in accordance with AstraZeneca standards
• Ability to utilize MS Office tools and AZ enterprise systems

Education & Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in a science field with 0-4 years’ experience

Required Skills:

• Introductory knowledge of cell culture operations such as Biosafety Cabinet Operation, cell banking, Bioreactor Operations, depth filtration, and Centrifuge Harvest Operations.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment.
• Familiarity with area specific production equipment such as parts washers, autoclaves, fixed and portable stainless-steel tanks, etc.
• Familiarity with basic chemistry concepts.
• Introductory knowledge of raw material weigh‑out and media/buffer preparation.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment.

Desired Skills:

• Demonstrates a high level of drive and initiative.
• Logic and decision-making abilities, critical thinking and troubleshooting skills.
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to change ways of working/identify opportunities to improve processes within cGMP clinical manufacturing environment.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting‑edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.

So, what’s next!

Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $65,081.60 - $97,622.40 USD Annual. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity‑based long‑term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at‑wit position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.