Product Preservation Specialist

NCBioImpact; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Retirement savings plan with company-m

Well-being programs

Career development opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

BASF is hiring a Product Preservation Specialist in Charlotte, NC to lead microbiology and preservation science across a portfolio of water-based formulations. The role blends hands-on lab work with scientific leadership, collaborating with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Service teams to improve testing capabilities and product performance.

The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert, evaluating preservatives, polymers, and analytical methods, and driving data-driven

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Polymer Science, Analytical Chemistry, Material Science, Engineering, Data Science or related field.
• MS or PhD in a relevant field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years in a lab/science role in industry or academia.
• Experience developing analytical, polymer, microbiology testing methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead microbiology and preservation studies to evaluate product performance and preservation efficacy.
• Collaborate with internal labs and external partners on test executions.
• Define hypotheses, sample plans, methods, and acceptance criteria for preservation work.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, governance, and safety/quality systems across labs.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical thinking

Creativity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology/related field

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

GC

LC

MS

DMA

Rheometer

SEM

Job description

Now hiring! Product Preservation Specialist

Charlotte, NC (Onsite)

Come create chemistry with us!

This role is designed to lead product preservation efforts and expand microbiology and product preservation capabilities supporting a diverse portfolio of water-based formulations and materials. This role combines hands‑on laboratory expertise with scientific leadership, applying microbiology, analytical chemistry, polymer characterization and data‑driven problem solving to support product development, manufacturing, quality improvement, and customer success.

The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert for microbiology and preservation science, analytical & polymer science and working closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Technical Service, and external partners to investigate complex challenges, improve testing capabilities, and develop practical solutions that enhance product performance, sustainability and reliability.

As a Product Preservation Specialist, you create chemistry by...

Develop, optimize, perform and interpret microbiological, biocide efficacy, and analytical and polymeric studies to evaluate product performance, stability, and preservation effectiveness to support product development, manufacturing, QA, and customer investigations. Lead and execute projects using microbiological methods (sample collection/isolation, culturing, gram staining, imaging, sequencing, challenge tests, etc.) and analytical/polymer techniques (redox/pH, GC, LC, MS, thermal analysis, DMA, rheometer, SEM, etc.) to diagnose issues and drive solutions.

Align stakeholders on business needs, technical questions, timing, risks, and expected outcomes for product preservation. Define hypotheses, variables, controls, sample plans, methods, acceptance criteria, data‑analysis approaches, and decision points; Collaborate with internal labs and external partners on test executions; Evaluate new preservation technologies, instrumentation, digital tools, and data‑management approaches; prepare recommendations to strengthen product preservation, analytical and polymer science.

Lead cross‑functional investigations of product quality issues which may result from preservation failures or non‑microbial contamination events, providing recommendations and corrective actions. Combine results from several methods to fully explain problems and customer observations leveraging microbiology, biocide knowledge and chemical structure‑property relationships to solve complex technical problems and identify root causes. Partner with internal and external customers to support business‑critical projects and customer needs.

Establish and maintain methods, SOPs, best practices, technical standards, and governance that enable consistent execution across laboratories and sites. Support instrument maintenance, laboratory safety, quality systems, regulatory compliance, and governance requirements while maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity and operational excellence.

If you have...

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Polymer Science, Analytical Chemistry, Material Science, Engineering, Data Science or related field. MS, PhD in relevant field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant industrial or academic experience in a laboratory and scientific environment.
• Knowledge and experience of developing analytical, polymer, microbiology testing and characterization methods to enhance and expand capabilities of the lab and solve complex problems.
• Knowledge of dispersion polymer systems and analytical equipment such as GC, LC, MS, thermal analysis, DMA, rheometer, GPC, IR, UV/Vis, SEM, SEM-EDS or similar is a benefit to this role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders to interpret results and ask probing questions to assist in the analysis of samples to solve problems.
• Creative and curious with a high degree of motivation and personal responsibility.
• Highest standards of job safety, integrity, accuracy, reproducibility, and attention to detail.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF. We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees’ overall well‑being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
• Well‑being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
• Back‑up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
• Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
• Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!

About us

As one of the largest chemical companies in North America we have been finding solutions for your everyday needs and addressing the most complex economic, environmental, and sustainability challenges for more than 150 years!

At BASF we empower our employees with the tools, guidance and opportunities they need to advance and succeed in work and life. Giving you the support you need to be your best and fulfill your personal ambitions is what helps us create chemistry. After all, our success is linked to yours. Whatever path you envision, BASF is a great place to build a rewarding, successful career.

Belong to Something Bigger. #belongatBASF

Privacy statement

BASF takes security & data privacy very seriously. We will never request financial information of any kind via email, private text message or direct message on any social medial platform or job board. Furthermore, we will never send a candidate a check for equipment or request any type of payment during the job application process. If you have experienced any of the above, please contact [e-mail] to report fraud.

Equal employment opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.