SHE Specialist - Research and Animal Safety

Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States. Work arrangement: onsite in Gaithersburg, MD to support research laboratory, animal care, and site safety operations.

About the role

You will support AstraZeneca’s laboratory and animal research operations by identifying risks, maintaining compliance, and embedding practical safety solutions into daily work. This role offers exposure to research operations while building expertise in risk assessment, regulatory compliance, event investigation, safety program execution, and continuous improvement. You will partner across functions to support applicable regulations, company standards, and AstraZeneca’s commitment to safety, health, environment, and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate hazards in laboratory and animal environments; support risk assessments for new processes, equipment, and operational changes.
• Partner with business teams to investigate injuries, illnesses, spills, and near misses; support root cause analysis, corrective actions, follow-up, and reporting.
• Maintain SHE protocols, SOPs, safety documentation, and site License to Operate requirements in alignment with regulatory and company standards.
• Conduct inspections and self-audits; document findings, communicate results, and track corrective actions to closure.
• Support safety meetings, communications, one-point lessons, HOP-based learning, and Management of Change activities.
• Promote sustainability, environmental compliance, and continuous improvement using safety data, metrics, and electronic systems such as Enablon.
• Partner with researchers, operations, engineering, and service providers to integrate SHE into daily work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, safety, health, environmental, or related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in Biopharma R&D, laboratory operations, SHE, environmental health and safety, research safety, animal safety, or a related regulated environment.
• Basic understanding of laboratory safety, regulatory requirements, risk assessment methodologies, and safety management systems.
• Strong computer skills, including experience or familiarity with systems such as Enablon and CapEx-related safety assessments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to partner across research, operations, engineering, and service provider groups.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, recommend practical solutions, and work onsite in research laboratory and animal care environments.

Desirable skills

• Experience supporting research and animal safety programs in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic research, or regulated laboratory environment.
• Experience with investigations, CAPAs, Management of Change, inspections, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with Human and Organizational Performance principles and practical approaches to strengthening safety culture.
• Ability to build trusted partnerships, influence without authority, and translate safety requirements into practical guidance.

Schedule

On-call coverage is required. Employees may participate in an on-call rotation and be available outside standard working hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Pay

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $73,710 to $105,000 USD. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits

• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity.
• Eligibility to participate in equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles).
• Retirement contribution (hourly roles).
• Qualified retirement program (401(k) plan).
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Paid leaves.
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.