Associate, Laboratory Operations

Introduction to role:

Are you energized by keeping complex laboratories running so scientists can focus on breakthroughs that reach patients faster? In this full-time, onsite role based in Santa Monica, you will be the operational backbone for our Process Sciences and Analytical Technologies laboratory spaces, ensuring they are safe, ready, and compliant every day.

As the key link between scientific users, laboratory operations, site services, vendors, and other partners, you will turn plans into action—coordinating instruments, supplies, cold storage, and training so experiments start on time and stay on track. Your work reduces downtime, protects critical materials, and accelerates learning cycles that ultimately benefit patients.

This is a high-visibility position where operational discipline meets problem-solving. From orchestrating service visits to navigating a cold storage outage, you will make informed decisions that keep science moving. Do you thrive in fast-moving settings where your coordination turns potential setbacks into smooth recoveries?

Accountabilities:

• Lab Operations Readiness: Maintain safe, organized, and efficient lab environments by overseeing common-use supplies, PPE, lab coats, glassware, and consumables; own stock replenishment, workspace organization, and cold storage coordination to minimize interruptions to scientific work.
• Cold Storage Continuity: Lead or support freezer, refrigerator, and cold room cleanouts; coordinate responses during outages or repairs; track inventory moves and notify impacted users; execute and document backup storage actions for temperature-sensitive materials to protect integrity and continuity.
• Instrument and Vendor Coordination: Maximize instrumentation uptime by scheduling maintenance, repairs, and service visits; act as the liaison for vendor access; keep lab users informed on service timing and status; partner with scientists to allocate lab space for instruments, reagents, and shared resources; ensure usage and operational activities are accurately tracked with Facilities and Lab Operations.
• Inventory, Reagents and Materials Stewardship: Maintain inventories for common and selected critical reagents and consumables; monitor stock levels and coordinate timely replenishment; improve visibility and readiness through shared inventory systems and stewardship of communal materials.
• Training, Communication and User Support: Onboard new lab users and visitors with clear inductions on operational practices, shared resources, and site expectations; provide training support for common workflows and, where appropriate, assist with assay or instrument-related training alongside scientific experts; communicate operational updates, service events, and issues promptly; facilitate problem-solving sessions and escalate thoughtfully when needed.
• Safety, Quality and Compliance: Partner with lab users and safety representatives to uphold high standards of safety, compliance, and housekeeping; complete documentation in line with Good Documentation Practice; maintain required training in health, safety, security, environmental, and operational procedures; champion 5S and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Partnership and Continuous Improvement: Work closely with scientists, operations colleagues, facilities, service providers, and site stakeholders to deliver seamless support; contribute to process improvements, operational documentation, resource-sharing tools, and knowledge transfer; cross-train and provide backup coverage; over time, standardize and scale best practices that enhance the laboratory user experience and operational efficiency.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, laboratory operations, or a related field with 2+ years of laboratory support or operations experience.
• Experience working in a laboratory, scientific operations, laboratory support, or a related environment.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and follow through on operational tasks.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and a commitment to safety, quality, and compliance.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with standard digital tools used for communication, inventory tracking, scheduling, and documentation.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience supporting laboratory operations in a biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, research, or regulated environment.
• Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation coordination, reagent and consumable inventory management, and shared resource oversight.
• Experience supporting onboarding, training, and workflow standardization in laboratory settings.
• Knowledge of 5S, lean laboratory practices, cold storage management, and/or vendor and service coordination.
• Experience working collaboratively with scientific teams while maintaining an operations-focused scope of responsibility.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, operational excellence directly amplifies scientific impact. You will work at the forefront of science with the visibility and voice to influence how teams deliver results, partnering with diverse experts to unlock smarter, faster ways of working. Expect a supportive environment that pairs ambition with kindness, where unexpected teams gather in the same room to unleash bold thinking, and where even setbacks become shared learning that moves us forward. Your contribution will protect critical research, speed decisions, and ultimately help deliver medicines to patients who need them—while you grow your skills across cutting-edge technologies and collaborative networks recognized across the enterprise.

Own the heartbeat of our Santa Monica labs and turn operational excellence into patient impact—submit your application today to shape how breakthroughs happen!

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $90,960 to $136,441. 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.

Date Posted

Closing Date

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.