Research Specialist Jobs in Maryland
Research Specialist jobs in Maryland are concentrated in Baltimore, Bethesda, and the broader Washington D.C. corridor, where anchor institutions like the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland consistently hire across clinical research, policy analysis, and social science research. The market is among the most active in the country for researchers with backgrounds in public health, biomedical sciences, and federal program evaluation, and openings exist at every level from entry-level research assistant to senior specialist. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Research Specialist jobs
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.
Introduction to Role
Are you ready to help strengthen a proactive safety culture in a collaborative research environment? As a SHE Specialist – Research and Animal Safety, 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.
Typical Accountabilities
- 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.
Essential Skills/Experience
- 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
- 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.
Required On-Call Coverage
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.
Compensation and Benefits
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $73,710- $105,000 USD Annual. 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. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Why AstraZeneca
At AstraZeneca, we are driven by science and united by our commitment to patients. In this role, you will help protect people, research, operations, and the environment by strengthening safe and compliant scientific work.
Date Posted
21-Aug-2026Closing 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.
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.
Introduction to Role
Are you ready to help strengthen a proactive safety culture in a collaborative research environment? As a SHE Specialist – Research and Animal Safety, 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.
Typical Accountabilities
- 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.
Essential Skills/Experience
- 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
- 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.
Required On-Call Coverage
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.
Compensation and Benefits
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $73,710- $105,000 USD Annual. 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. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Why AstraZeneca
At AstraZeneca, we are driven by science and united by our commitment to patients. In this role, you will help protect people, research, operations, and the environment by strengthening safe and compliant scientific work.
Date Posted
21-Aug-2026Closing 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.
See All 22 Research Specialist Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Specialist JobsResearch Specialist Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Specialist Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research specialist jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific, social science, or public health field required
- Experience designing or managing research studies, surveys, or data collection protocols
- Proficiency in statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, or Stata
- Ability to prepare IRB submissions, research protocols, and compliance documentation
- Strong written communication skills for reports, publications, and grant narratives
- Familiarity with federal research funding agencies and sponsor requirements such as NIH or CDC
Research Specialist Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research specialist in Maryland?
Most research specialist roles in Maryland require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public health, biology, psychology, or social science, with many mid-level roles preferring a master's degree. Maryland does not issue a state license specific to research specialists, so hiring decisions center on education, demonstrated research experience, and knowledge of regulatory frameworks like IRB compliance and Good Clinical Practice, which is standard across the state's large biomedical and federal research sector.
Which companies hire research specialists in Maryland?
Employers hiring research specialists in Maryland right now include Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and Westat, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Maryland's proximity to federal agencies like NIH and CDC means that contract research organizations and nonprofit research institutes also represent a significant share of consistent hiring in the state.
Which Maryland cities have the most research specialist jobs?
Baltimore, Bethesda, and Laurel lead for research specialist openings in Maryland, driven primarily by the concentration of federal health agencies in Bethesda and Rockville, the large academic medical and public health institutions in Baltimore, and the growing life sciences and government contracting ecosystem in the broader suburban D.C. corridor that creates sustained demand outside the city centers.
Are there remote research specialist jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 25% of research specialist openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the analytical and desk-based nature of much of the work. Roles focused on literature reviews, data analysis, policy research, and grant writing tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring lab work, participant interviews, or on-site data collection are typically in-person.
How can I get hired as a research specialist in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research assistant or coordinator role, which large Maryland employers like Johns Hopkins, the University of Maryland system, and federal contractors regularly post for candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree and no prior research job history. Completing a certificate in clinical research or IRB coordination, building experience through a university lab while still enrolled, or transitioning from an adjacent role such as data analyst or program coordinator significantly strengthens a candidate's profile for these entry-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to research specialist jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to research specialist jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's major hiring markets. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 22 Research Specialist Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Specialist Jobs