Undergraduate R&D Wet Lab Summer Internship – Gaithersburg, MD

Calling all curious minds, lab lovers, and future changemakers! This summer don’t just intern—make an impact. At AstraZeneca, you’ll dive into real science, work alongside world-class researchers, and contribute to discoveries that could change patients’ lives.

If you're an undergraduate passionate about biology, chemistry, data science, or biotechnology, this is your opportunity to transform classroom learning into real-world impact. Gain hands-on lab experience, grow your professional network, and discover what it means to innovate at the forefront of science with a global biopharma leader.

Overview:

AstraZeneca’s Internship Program offers undergraduate students a 10–12-week summer experience in our Research & Development laboratories. Interns contribute to real projects, develop technical skills, and learn our ways of working across discovery and translational science.

Applications close January 2, 2026. Candidates are reviewed on a rolling basis; this posting may close quickly due to high application volume. Interview timelines may vary by function.

Possible Scope of Work:

• Execute experiments: Perform cell culture, aseptic technique, ELISA/ligand binding assays, qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and high-content imaging under supervision. Experiments can involve the below:

  • Support molecular biology: Conduct DNA/RNA extraction, cloning, transfection, CRISPR-based gene editing, and expression analysis aligned to project needs.

  • Assist protein/analytical work: Contribute to protein purification, HPLC/UPLC, mass spectrometry sample prep, and stability assessments where applicable.

• Capture and analyze data: Maintain accurate electronic lab notebooks, follow SOPs, apply appropriate statistics, and present findings in team meetings.

• Follow safety and quality procedures: Adhere to EHS and biosafety requirements; support lab maintenance and reagent inventory.

Possible Teams You'll Work with:

• Oncology R&D: Target validation and antibody–drug conjugate workflows from hit finding to biomarker assay development.

• BioPharmaceuticals R&D:

  • Cardiovascular, Renal, & Metabolism; Respiratory & Immunology: In vitro and ex vivo models to evaluate pharmacology and disease biology; biomarker and functional assays.

  • Vaccines & Immune Therapies: Cellular immunoassays, cytokine profiling, flow cytometry, and formulation characterization.

• Biologics Engineering & Biopharmaceutical Development: Molecular cloning, expression and purification, biophysical characterization, and developability assessments.

• Translational Science: Assay development/qualification, sample handling workflows, and data packages informing early clinical studies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Work authorization: Immediately authorized to work in the U.S. This role will not provide CPT support.

• Enrollment and Graduation Date: Undergraduate student enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college/university at the time of application. Must have a graduation date after August 2026.

  • Currently pursuing a Master’s or PhD? Please apply to our internship postings tailored to your specific year in school.

• Age: At least 18 years old prior to start date.

• On-site presence: Ability to commute to Gaithersburg, MD. On-site presence required.

• Safety readiness: Must be comfortable following lab safety protocols, including wearing PPE and avoiding items that interfere with sterile technique.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Field of study: Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related STEM disciplines.

• Technical skills: Experience with basic wet lab techniques (e.g., cell culture, ELISA/qPCR, Western blot); familiarity with data tools (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism, R or Python).

• Communication: Ability to summarize results, prepare figures, and present to multidisciplinary teams.

• Team mindset: Collaborative, detail-oriented, and eager to learn in a fast-paced research environment.

Should I apply?  We welcome applications from undergraduate candidates with a wide range of laboratory skills and experience, as we are recruiting for multiple intern roles across several teams and functions.

Employment Type:

• Schedule: Full-time, summer internship (10–12 weeks)

• Work Model: On-site at AstraZeneca’s Gaithersburg, MD campus.

Compensation:

• Pay rate range: $37-39 per hour; overtime eligibility per federal and state requirements.

Other Information:

• Selection process: Rolling review; interviews begin in the winter and may vary by function.

• Accessibility: If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please indicate this in your application.

How to Apply:

Submit your application during the application window. Include resume/CV.

Requisition Disclaimer:

Qualified applicants may be contacted by Kelly Services or AstraZeneca representatives regarding internship roles, interviews, or next steps in the hiring process.

Selected interns will be employed by Kelly Services while working at AstraZeneca, its entities, and designated sites throughout the summer internship program.

Batch.

Date Posted

18-Nov-2025

Closing Date

01-Jan-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.

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.