New · posted Oct 23
AstraZeneca · Biotechnology
QC Associate – Global Cell Therapy Raw Materials
- Rockville, MD
- On-site
- Full-time
- Associate & Specialist
Closes Nov 23, 2026 · 32 days left
The role
The QC Associate performs GMP analytical testing of raw materials used in Cell Therapy manufacturing and supports the day-to-day readiness and operation of the QC laboratory. The role follows approved methods and procedures, completes accurate documentation, and supports timely testing of materials in accordance with applicable quality, regulatory, site, and global requirements.
Testing may include chemical and physical analyses, compendial methods, immunoassays, and cell-based assays, as applicable.
QC Associate – Global Cell Therapy Raw Materials
Date Posted
22-Oct-2026
Closing Date
22-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
A bachelor’s or master’s degree, or equivalent, in biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field is required.
- Associate level: B.S. with 2+ years of relevant experience, or M.S. with 0+ years of relevant experience
Required Skills
- Experience with, or exposure to, analytical techniques appropriate to the laboratory, which may include pH, FTIR/Raman, HPLC, ELISA, wet chemistry, and cell-based assays.
- Working knowledge of cGMP, good documentation practices, data integrity, and laboratory safety.
- Awareness of applicable compendial requirements, including USP and EP.
- Ability to follow written procedures and complete work accurately and on time.
- Strong attention to detail, documentation, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to recognize and escalate testing, equipment, documentation, or procedural issues.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.
Preferred Skillsnice to have
- Experience supporting raw-material testing or other GMP laboratory activities.
- Experience working with short turnaround times while maintaining quality and compliance.
- Experience with digital laboratory systems, such as electronic laboratory notebooks, LIMS, or SAP.
- Familiarity with Cell Therapy, biologics, or advanced therapy manufacturing environments.
The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $55,920.80 to $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
Raw-Material Testing and Analysis
- Perform routine and non-routine raw-material testing using approved methods, SOPs, specifications, and protocols for material release or disposition.
- Complete testing accurately and within agreed timelines to support manufacturing requirements.
- Support raw-material qualification and testing activities, as needed.
- Review results and promptly escalate atypical findings, deviations, equipment issues, and data-integrity concerns.
Laboratory and Equipment Upkeep
- Maintain a safe, clean, orderly, and inspection-ready QC laboratory.
- Support the management of laboratory equipment, reagents, standards, consumables, inventory, and waste.
- Perform routine equipment checks and support calibration, maintenance, qualification, and service activities.
Documentation
- Complete accurate, timely, and traceable GMP documentation in accordance with good documentation practices and data-integrity requirements.
- Support the preparation and review of applicable laboratory documents, including SOPs, work instructions, methods, protocols, and reports.
Others
- Support assigned method transfer, qualification, validation, deviation, investigation, and change-control activities.
- Participate in appropriate continuous improvement activities that enhance laboratory efficiency, compliance, and right-first-time execution.
- Work collaboratively cross functionally across the Cell Therapy network
Pay and benefits
$56,000 – $84,000 a year
Employer providedQualified retirement programs
Paid time off
Health coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Short-term incentive bonuses
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 · October 23, 2026
Salary intelligence
How the pay compares
This role's midpoint is 19% above the US median for Quality Control roles at this level.
This roleEmployer provided
Associate & Specialist roles in Maryland5 roles publishing pay
Associate & Specialist roles in the US125 roles publishing pay
| Annual base pay | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| This role | $56,000 | — | $84,000 |
| Maryland (middle half) | $70,000 | $73,000 | $101,000 |
| All US (middle half) | $49,000 | $59,000 | $76,000 |
This role: AstraZeneca's own published range. Comparisons: the base pay employers published on open Quality Control roles at the same level on Regulatory Jobs, October 23, 2026. Nothing is estimated.
Career trajectory
Where this role sits in Quality Control
The general path across 324 open Quality Control 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 32 duty, requirement and summary lines touch each area. The posting's emphasis, not a proficiency score.
- Lab testing and methods15
- Documentation and SOPs8
- GMP and compliance7
- Validation and qualification3
- Collaboration and leadership3
- Investigations and CAPA2
- Data and digital systems2
- Quality systems and risk1
Regulatory intelligence
The rules behind this role
Frameworks and standards this posting's work falls under, matched from its own words, each linked to the official source.
- FDA21 CFR Parts 210 and 211(official source, opens in a new tab)FDA current good manufacturing practice for finished pharmaceuticals
- FDAFDA data integrity guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Data Integrity and Compliance With Drug CGMP: Questions and Answers
- ICHICH quality guidelines(official source, opens in a new tab)Q1 stability, Q2(R2) analytical validation, Q7, Q9 risk management, Q10 quality systems
- USPUSP compendial chapters(official source, opens in a new tab)Bioburden (USP <61>), endotoxin (USP <85>), TOC (USP <643>) and water testing
Company hiring pulse
AstraZeneca on Regulatory Jobs
- 21
- Open roles
- 18
- Distinct roles
- 9
- Locations
By discipline
- Quality11 52%
- Regulatory10 48%
By level
- Director10 48%
- Associate & Specialist5 24%
- Senior & Principal4 19%
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QC Associate – Global Cell Therapy Raw Materials at AstraZeneca
Applications close November 23. $56K–$84K a year, employer provided.