Biocenter Biobank Operations Manager

Gaithersburg, MDPosted Jul 30, 2026

At AstraZeneca, we are proud of our ground-breaking pipeline and continue to look for new ways to bring the best medicines to patients. We are building and fostering high-performing collaborative teams across the organization to help us deliver on our ambition. There’s no better time to join our growing enterprise as we lead the way for patients, healthcare and broader society.

What you’ll do

Human Biological Samples (HBS) are fundamental to medical research in discovering, developing and implementing new treatments and diagnostics. They are ethically sensitive materials and underpin the delivery of every clinical trial.

The Biocenter Biobank Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of biobank activities within the Biocenter, ensuring compliant, efficient, and high-quality delivery of biosample handling and biobanking support to scientific and clinical stakeholders.

Rorting to the Biocenter Biobank Lead, this role oversees operational execution across sample receipt, handling, storage, tracking, retrieval, transfer coordination, and inventory control, while supporting inspection readiness, staff coordination, and continuous process improvement.

Responsibilities include:

Accountable for day-to-day biobank operations within the Biocenter, ensuring timely, compliant, and high-quality support to scientific and clinical functions

Oversee operational workflows related to sample receipt, accessioning, handling, processing coordination, storage, tracking, retrieval, transfer coordination, and disposition in accordance with approved procedures and study requirements
Support and coordinate sample handling activities, ensuring biospecimen workflows are executed in compliance with approved processes, protocol requirements, and applicable regulations
Monitor and manage biobank sample inventory in alignment with global standards, ensuring samples are stored appropriately, tracked accurately, and disposed of in accordance with approved retention and destruction requirements
Ensure work is performed in accordance with global standards including Safety, SOPs, Good Clinical Practice, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements
Lab based role with expected 5 day on-site and take on-calls out of regular work hours
Maintain operational inspection readiness and support audits and inspections through documentation, process adherence, issue follow-up, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions as required
Identify, assess, escalate, and manage day-to-day operational risks, issues, deviations, and delivery challenges affecting biobank operations
Ensure effective operational use of LIMS, databases, and sample tracking systems, and support compliance with AZ data standards, procedural requirements, and applicable regulations
Develop work schedules and coordinate staffing plans to support workload balancing, operational continuity, and delivery against business priorities
Supervise, train, coach, and mentor biobank scientists and/or operational staff to maintain high standards of performance, technical capability, and compliance
Provide operational expertise in biobanking and end-to-end sample management, supporting science functions and escalating strategic or policy matters to the Biocenter Biobank Lead where appropriate
Work closely with compliance teams, clinical sampling teams, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders to support smooth execution of biosample operations and resolution of operational issues
Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen biobank operations, efficiency, quality, consistency, and automation where applicable
Support implementation of global biobank processes, standards, and ways of working within the Biocenter, ensuring local adoption and alignment
Track, analyze, and report local operational metrics related to sample operations, quality, compliance, and service delivery
Provide input into procedural documents, local working instructions, and operational documentation to support compliant and efficient biobank operations

Requirements:

Bachelors/Masters in scientific discipline
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the Biobanking industry
Demonstrated leadership skills including strategic planning
Expert knowledge on ethical and regulatory aspects of biobanking and sample usage
Understanding of GCP and understanding of applicable regional regulations
Thorough understanding of, and experience with, working with various IT solutions, such as LIMS systems and databases
Biocenter Services Manager, Biobank Lab Excellence lead
Biocenter scientists

Desirable:

knowledge of Regulatory areas- FDA, CLIA, ISO
Excellent team working and networking skills with experience of interacting effectively across interfaces of discipline, culture, and expertise.
Excellent decision-making and communication skills, scientific judgement and analytical skills
Strong ability to work independently
Willingness to take decisions and find solutions
Fluent in English as the AstraZeneca working language
Vendors

Why this role

This is a rare opportunity to define a first-of-its-kind capability at the intersection of oncology, marketing & sales, and AI, with high visibility across US Oncology leadership and the broader enterprise. You will shape how more than 1,000 colleagues engage customers, and help bring our ground-breaking medicines to patients faster.

What you can expect: great working atmosphere empowering you to reach your full potential, endless development opportunities and benefits like: medical & life insurance, annual bonus, education cost reimbursement, occasional allowances (Christmas, holiday), anniversary awards, additional time off, pension plan, business travel insurance, recognition program, flexible working hours.

Why AstraZeneca?At AstraZeneca you will be valued. Not only for your unique contribution, skills and background, but because we recognize people are our greatest asset. Here we are dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Thrive in an energizing environment where challenging work goes hand in hand with development. With opportunities, recognition and bright minds, there’s no better place to unlock learning and build a long-term career. Most importantly, we do meaningful work that changes lives. It’s our purpose that drives us, every day. Interested? Come and join our journey.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $142,377.60 – 213,566.40 USD Annual. 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.

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.

Date Posted

30-Jul-2026

Closing Date

07-Aug-2026