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New · posted Nov 8

AstraZeneca · Biotechnology

Associate Quality Control Quality Microbiology, Cell Therapy

  • Rockville, MD
  • On-site
  • Full-time
  • Associate & Specialist
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EmploymentFull-time
DeadlineCloses Nov 13, 2026

The role

This role ensures the safety, sterility, and compliance of raw materials, in-process samples, and final products through environmental monitoring, microbial testing, and aseptic processing support. The role focuses on learning and performing routine activities with high quality and data integrity, assisting with lab maintenance and inventory, and supporting QC operations to meet timelines. The position plays a critical role in maintaining regulatory compliance and ensuring product quality for clinical and commercial manufacturing.

Date Posted

06-Nov-2026

Closing Date

12-Nov-2026

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.

What you need

• Associate’s degree in Biological Sciences, biology, microbiology, or related discipline with two years of experience or Bachelor’s degree with minimum three months experience.

• Experience in a pharmaceutical/biotech or related academic setting. Exposure to QC, cGMP environments, or regulated documentation is a plus.

• Experience with LIMS system (MODA, 1Lab etc..) is a plus but not a requirement.

• Understanding of core cGMP concepts, Good Documentation Practices, and laboratory compliance; ability to follow SOPs precisely and ask clarifying questions.

• Strong focus on right-first-time execution, accurate record-keeping, and timely escalation of discrepancies.

• Demonstrates effective cross-functional collaboration, embraces flexibility in a constantly evolving environment, and maintains a positive, solutions oriented attitude to drive outcomes.

• Enthusiasm to develop new technical skills and expand responsibilities with experience.

• Ability to work on-site in a lab-based role or withing cleanroom space

• This role will support the schedule of 4/10 hour days, from Sunday thru Wednesday.


The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $55,920.80 - $83,881.20. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

What you'll do

• Complete Environmental Monitoring sampling in various classification suites within the GMP Space (non-viable and viable air sampling, Surface Viable sampling).

• Ability to be gown certified for Grade D, C and B environments to support EM sampling.

• Conduct incubation and enumeration of media plates and samples.

• Processing and Sending out media plates for identification to outside testing laboratory.

• Operate assigned instruments per SOPs including daily checks, calibrations, and routine maintenance.

• Assist in Routine Testing under supervision (e.g., Rapid Sterility, Mycoplasma, Bioburden, Endotoxin, Growth promotion and Cell Aliquoting) following approved methods and cGMP/GDP expectations.

• Record data contemporaneously in relevant electronic systems; ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with ALCOA+ principles.

• Maintain inventory of consumables and reagents; perform lab housekeeping, 5S, and equipment cleaning; support sample logistics and courier/chain-of-custody processes.

• Assist in documenting deviations and events; provide data and observations for investigations (e.g., OOS/OOT); follow implemented CAPAs and change controls.

• Communicate testing status, material needs, and issues to the team; support scheduling and sample coordination to meet lot release timelines.

Pay and benefits

$56,000 – $84,000 a year

Employer provided
How this compares
  • Short-term incentive bonuses

  • Equity-based awards

  • Retirement programs

  • Paid time off

  • Health coverage

  • Dental and vision coverage

Where you'll work

Rockville, MDOn-siteOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)

More jobs in Rockville, MD

Job intelligence

The context around this role

Live data · November 8, 2026

Salary intelligence

How the pay compares

This role's midpoint is 3% below the US median for Microbiology & Sterility Assurance roles at this level.

This roleEmployer provided

$56,000 to $84,000 a year

Associate & Specialist roles in the US18 roles publishing pay

Middle half $66,000 to $81,000, median $72,500
Annual base pay
Annual base payLowMedianHigh
This role$56,000—$84,000
All US$66,000$72,500$81,000

This role: AstraZeneca's own published range. Comparisons: the base pay employers published on open Microbiology & Sterility Assurance roles at the same level on Regulatory Jobs, November 8, 2026. Nothing is estimated.

Career trajectory

Where this role sits in Microbiology & Sterility Assurance

The general path across 57 open Microbiology & Sterility Assurance roles on Regulatory Jobs, with the titles they carry most. Not AstraZeneca's own promotion track.

  1. This role

    Associate & Specialist

    Often: Quality Engineering Intern, Microbiology Intern · Associate Quality Control Quality Microbiology, Cell Therapy

    $73K median19 open
  2. Next step

    Senior & Principal

    Often: Senior Validation Engineer, Sterility & CQV · Associate Scientist/Sr. Specialist, QC Microbiology Trainer

    $107K median24 open
  3. Later

    Manager

    Often: Sterility Assurance Manager · Manager, QC Microbiology

    $114K median8 open
  4. Later

    Director

    Often: Associate Director, QC Microbiology · Associate Director, Sterility Assurance

    $195K median6 open

Skills DNA

What this role leans on

How many of the posting's 24 duty, requirement and summary lines touch each area. The posting's emphasis, not a proficiency score.

GMP and compliance: 6 linesLab testing and methods: 9 linesDocumentation and SOPs: 6 linesInvestigations and CAPA: 1 lineQuality systems and risk: 1 lineData and digital systems: 3 linesCollaboration and leadership: 2 linesGMPLab testingDocumentationInvestigationsQuality systemsData systemsTeamwork
  • Lab testing and methods9
  • GMP and compliance6
  • Documentation and SOPs6
  • Data and digital systems3
  • Collaboration and leadership2
  • Investigations and CAPA1
  • Quality systems and risk1

Regulatory intelligence

The rules, regulations and standards behind this role

The regulations, guidance and standards that govern Microbiology & Sterility Assurance work in biotechnology, led by the four this posting names, each linked to the agency or standards body that publishes it.

Company hiring pulse

AstraZeneca on Regulatory Jobs

41
Open roles
41
Distinct roles
10
Locations

By discipline

  • Quality16 39%
  • Clinical14 34%
  • Regulatory11 27%

By level

  • Director24 59%
  • Associate & Specialist12 29%
  • Senior & Principal3 7%
See all 41 AstraZeneca roles

More roles at AstraZeneca

All 41 AstraZeneca roles

Similar Microbiology & Sterility Assurance roles elsewhere

Associate Quality Control Quality Microbiology, Cell Therapy at AstraZeneca

Applications close November 13. $56K–$84K a year, employer provided.

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