White biotechnology – also known as industrial biotechnology – uses microorganisms and enzymes to produce chemical and biochemical products. The product portfolio of white biotechnology is manifold and comprises basic chemicals, monomers, and many specialty chemicals like vitamins, food and feed supplements, as well as pharmaceutical and agricultural intermediates. Biotechnological processes are often more efficient than classical chemical production and require less raw materials and energy. Usually, they are based on renewable raw material and exhibit a beneficial carbon footprint. Some products like enzymes or complicated actives are only accessible via white biotechnology and cannot be manufactured by chemical synthesis. The microorganisms are bred for each new substance. Here, in a lab at the Ludwigshafen site, biology lab technicians Julia Fink and Kerstin Rieger are placing a fungal culture growing on rice in an incubator.
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Set New Standards in Research and Development

Do you have ambitious plans for both your career and our planet? Do you believe in the innovative power of big ideas and have the courage to take completely new paths? Then come aboard and shape the future with us.

As a leading chemical company, we at BASF work on innovations for a sustainable future every day. Our goal is to develop solutions for the greatest challenges of our time – so that we can protect the climate better, make the best possible use of limited resources, and provide a fast-growing global population with the food, energy and clean water it needs.

Our research and development (R&D) is a core part of our plan. Around 10,000 employees in R&D work on developing pioneering technologies and industry solutions every day – benefiting from our excellent Know-How Verbund and a vibrant research community.

Working environment and projects

Battery recycling closes the loop in electromobility - Lab technician Theresa Simon checks the crystallization of the lithium salts in a laboratory reactor.
Our research and development is organised globally, with research centres in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. The business and application-oriented research units as well as the development units of our divisions form the core of our global knowledge network and cooperate with excellent universities, research institutes and companies.
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Our Research fields

Our Research focuses

Research for the future
Our research creates solutions for the challenges of our time. Together with experts and partners, we combine innovation, performance and sustainability. We are driven by a clear vision: we utilise the potential of chemistry for a future worth living.
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Your route into our team

Whether at the beginning of their career or already experienced: in research and development at BASF, employees shape the future together. What is important to us? A real match - professionally and personally. That's why we take the time to get to know applicants and at the same time give them the opportunity to fully discover BASF as an employer. Find out which entry opportunities match your goals - and get started together with us.

Professionals
Join us as a specialist or team leader, take on responsibility and shape research, innovation and international cooperation.
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Graduates
Start as a scientist or specialist after completing your doctorate or Master's degree and work on scientific research projects.
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Postdoc
Join one of our R&D units or our Academic Research Alliances on a temporary basis after completing your doctorate and drive innovative projects forward.
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Trainee
Join one of our trainee programmes and get to know the diverse world of BASF in the best possible way by taking on varied positions and your own project responsibility.
  1. Discover our trainee programmes
Become part of the team
Are you curious to find out how your application with us works, what steps you will have to take and what we attach particular importance to?
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Career opportunities – as unique as you are!

Starting out in research and development opens the door for you to enjoy a wide range of development opportunities.

As well as pursuing a career path as a scientific expert or a manager in research and development, you will also have the chance to develop in other fields.

You will discuss the next steps in your career with your line manager on a regular basis.

Discover the myriad career routes our colleagues have taken:

Still unsure where your journey at BASF could take you? Be inspired by the individual career paths of our colleagues.

Ask me anything: Interview with our colleagues

Miriam Mathea - Global Scientific Dicipline Leader

Miriam Mathea works in cheminformatics at BASF and uses machine learning to develop digital tools for chemists. Her work combines molecules with algorithms and supports research. Find out more about her day-to-day work and how her work supports different areas of chemistry.

Fabian Hundemer - LabTeamLeader R&D 

Fabian leads a research team at BASF and develops new flavourings, from discovery research to production. He works closely with interdisciplinary teams and drives innovation. Find out why teamwork, different perspectives and sustainability play a central role in his work.

What we are working on today for tomorrow

Here you can find further insights into our world of research.

Insights into BASF's research
Discover the world of our Smart Scientists and their pioneering innovations.
  1. Get to know our experts