

New · posted Nov 8
AstraZeneca · Biotechnology
Associate Quality Control Quality Microbiology, Cell Therapy
- Rockville, MD
- On-site
- Full-time
- Associate & Specialist
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 providedShort-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, MDJob 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
Associate & Specialist roles in the US18 roles publishing pay
| Annual base pay | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| This role | $56,000 | — | $84,000 |
| All US (middle half) | $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.
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.
- 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.
- FDA21 CFR Parts 210 and 211(official source, opens in a new tab)FDA current good manufacturing practice for finished pharmaceuticalsNamed in the posting
- FDAFDA OOS guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Investigating Out-of-Specification (OOS) Test Results for Pharmaceutical ProductionNamed in the posting
- FDAFDA data integrity guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Data Integrity and Compliance With Drug CGMP: Questions and AnswersNamed in the posting
- EUEU Good Distribution Practice(official source, opens in a new tab)Guidelines on good distribution practice of medicinal products for human useNamed in the posting
- FDAFDA aseptic processing guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Sterile Drug Products Produced by Aseptic Processing: Current Good Manufacturing Practice
- USPUSP–NF(official source, opens in a new tab)US Pharmacopeia general chapters and monographs, such as <61> bioburden, <85> endotoxin, <1225> validation
- EUEU GMP (EudraLex Volume 4)(official source, opens in a new tab)The EU's good manufacturing practice rules, including Annex 1 sterile and Annex 15 validation
- ISOISO 14644-1(official source, opens in a new tab)Cleanroom air cleanliness classification by particle concentration
- FDA21 CFR Parts 600 to 680(official source, opens in a new tab)FDA standards for biological products, from licensing to lot release
- ISOISO/IEC 17025(official source, opens in a new tab)Competence of testing and calibration laboratories
- ISPEISPE GAMP 5(official source, opens in a new tab)A risk-based approach to compliant GxP computerized systems
- EDQMEuropean Pharmacopoeia(official source, opens in a new tab)The Ph. Eur. quality standards for medicines in Europe, published by the EDQM
- FDA21 CFR Part 11(official source, opens in a new tab)FDA rules for electronic records and electronic signatures
- FDAFDA process validation guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Process Validation: General Principles and Practices
- ICHICH Q9(R1)(official source, opens in a new tab)Quality risk management
- ICHICH Q5 and Q6B(official source, opens in a new tab)Quality of biotechnological products and their specifications
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%
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Associate Quality Control Quality Microbiology, Cell Therapy at AstraZeneca
Applications close November 13. $56K–$84K a year, employer provided.


