PhD Leadership Development Program (LDP) – 2026 Cohort–Applications Open!
The world needs solutions, and we need you! At BASF, we create chemistry through the power of connected minds. By balancing economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, we are building a more sustainable future through chemistry. As the world’s leading chemical company, we help our customers in nearly every industry meet the current and future needs of society through science and innovation.
Join BASF for our 2-year cross-functional PhD Leadership Development Program (LDP), where you’ll immerse yourself in our dynamic technical, production, and commercial teams. This rotational program offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working on impactful projects that support our business objectives. You’ll collaborate closely with seasoned professionals, gaining insights into our technical processes and strategies.
This experience will equip you with essential skills in a variety of functional areas including research, development, production, and commercial spaces. Our program is designed to accelerate your career growth by providing you with leadership opportunities and strategic insights critical for a successful future in technical management.
We welcome applicants who are mobile-minded and open to relocation, as the program is comprised of three eight-month rotations in different locations across the U.S. This will enhance your exposure to diverse business environments and deepen your understanding of our global operations.
Embrace this opportunity to kickstart your career at BASF, where innovation and collaboration drive our success!
Are you ready to create change?
In our PhD Leadership Development Program, no two days are alike. You’ll engage in a dynamic environment where you’ll tackle diverse challenges, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and adapt to rapidly changing situations. This role offers the opportunity to innovate and problem-solve in real-time, making every day an exciting and unique experience.
Some key areas of impact may include:
- Technical and Engineering Rotations: Engaging in comprehensive rotations that encompass technical communication, process development, operations engineering, and application and technical services, fostering a deep understanding of engineering principles and practices.
- Research and Development Rotations: Participating in diverse R&D rotations across chemist and scientist roles, focusing on laboratory research, innovative product development, and discovery processes to drive scientific advancement.
- Sustainability and Environmental Rotations: Involved in initiatives that promote sustainability and innovation, exploring renewable materials and advancing microplastic degradation science to address pressing environmental challenges.
- Data and Digitalization Rotations: Engaging in rotations that delve into data science, technical services, software engineering, and artificial intelligence, equipping participants with cutting-edge skills to navigate the digital landscape.
- Business Development and Marketing Rotations: Gaining valuable experience through rotations in market segmentation, account management, business development, marketing strategies, and investment analysis to drive organizational growth and success.
Your Unique Blend: What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate for our PhD Leadership Development Program at BASF is a recent graduate or current PhD student studying Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biosciences, Material Science, Polymer Science, or a related field with a graduation date between May 2025 and July 2026 (must successfully defend prior to August 2026) OR completing their 1st or 2nd year of a post-doctoral position.
- Candidates must be permanently authorized to work in the U.S. without restrictions and be willing to relocate anywhere in the country during and after the program, as all assignments are in-person or hybrid.
- Candidates should demonstrate previous leadership experience and academic achievement, along with active participation in extracurricular activities and on-campus organizations.
- Previous internship/co-op experience is preferred.
- Familiarity with tools such as PowerBI, SAP, Tableau, and advanced Excel proficiency is a plus, along with a strong interest in the manufacturing or chemical industry. Project management experience is also beneficial.
Throughout the two-year program, participants will engage across various business areas, expanding their networks and developing valuable skills. Mobility is crucial, with potential locations including New Jersey, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and Louisiana.
We are always working to form the best team – especially from within, with an emphasis on lifelong learning and career development!
Who We Are
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America and had sales of $19.7 billion in 2024.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions
At BASF, we are committed to creating an exceptional workplace that values diversity and prioritizes our employees’ well-being and development. Our dedication has been recognized through various awards and accolades. In 2024-25, BASF received the Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health from Mental Health America, as well as the Business Group on Health’s Best Employers: Excellence in Health & Well-being award. We were recognized by PLANSPONSOR for having a 2025 Best In Class 401(k) Plan and ranked among the Top 50 Employers by readers of Minority Engineer Magazine. Fair360 (formerly Diversity Inc) also placed us 22nd on their 2024 Top 50 Companies List. Additionally, we were named one of America’s Best Large Employers and one of the World’s Best Employers by Forbes and Statista. For the 11th consecutive year, we achieved a top score in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, earning the 2025 “Equality 100 Award” as a leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
