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 crafted 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 work spaces to suit a variety of working styles while growing collaboration between teams.

Summary of the group:

The Analytical Sciences GMP group is responsible for analytical support of clinical stage biopharmaceutical products in accordance with GMP regulations. This includes management of: lot release and stability programs, reference standards and critical reagents, analytical tech transfer, and sample chain of custody. The team engages with analytical development and handles assays across multiple analytical disciplines including: chromatography, electrophoresis, immunoassay, bioassay and device functionality methods. Members of the Analytical Sciences GMP department work closely with Analytical Sciences development personnel, Clinical Supply Chain, CMC and Quality Assurance across all stages of clinical development (pre-IND to BLA).

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for working collaboratively in the Analytical Sciences GMP bioassay laboratory team, to ensure that release and stability testing of clinical trial material is performed according to international regulatory and AstraZeneca requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Work as part of a team and contribute to design and/or execution of analytical studies to determine the quality and stability of drug substance and drug products.
• Participate in analytical method development, method qualification and technical transfer activities.
• Execute analytical testing, data review and interpret results according to written procedures.
• Author, revise and/or review SOPs, protocols, reports and other relevant documentation.
• Train junior laboratory personnel and troubleshoot methods and experiments, as needed.
• Maintain laboratory and equipment in accordance with written procedures.
• Perform analytical quality investigations, as needed.
• Participate in/lead cross-functional teams and or process improvement efforts.
• Interpret data, generate reports/presentations and communicate progress to immediate peer group and supervisor.
• Ensure that work is performed in accordance with appropriate safety, cGMP and AZ standards.

Education & Experience Requirements:

Associate Scientist

Education: A bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent in biology, chemistry, or related field. 

Experience: B.S. or M.S. with 0 yrs experience

Scientist

Education: A bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent in biology, chemistry, or related field. 

Experience: B.S. with 5 years of experience or M.S. with 2 years of experience.

Required Skills

• Prior experience with mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique
• Prior experience with cell-based assay in 96-well format
• Prior experience in a Quality Control/GMP laboratory and/or regulated industry environment and knowledge of cGMP and regulatory requirements for biologic products.
• Ability to work in a team environment, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven computer skills; experience using MS Office and other data analysis software and related applications.

Desired Skills

• Experience with analytical method transfer and validation.
• Experience with Labware Laboratory Information System (LIMS) and training on automated sample management equipment.
• Experience implementing operational excellence or continuous improvement methodology in a laboratory 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.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

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AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.