Microbiology Analytical Senior Scientist

About the role

Located in Charlotte, NC, the Microbiology Analytical Senior Scientist at BASF leads product preservation and analytical testing for water-based formulations. The 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 incumbent serves as a subject matter expert for microbiology and preservation science, analytical & polymer science, working closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Technical Service, and external partners to investigate challenges, improve testing capabilities, and develop practical solutions that enhance product performance, sustainability and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and perform day‑to‑day microbiology, polymer characterization, and analytical testing 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.
• Evaluate and implement new testing technologies, instrumentation, and laboratory capabilities that strengthen product preservation, analytical and polymer science.
• Design, execute, and interpret microbiological, biocide efficacy, and analytical and polymeric studies to evaluate product performance, stability, and preservation effectiveness.
• Investigate product quality issues which may result from preservation failures or non‑microbial contamination events, providing scientifically sound recommendations and corrective actions.
• Create and maintain SOPs, work instructions, laboratory standards, and technical documentation that support consistent execution across laboratories and manufacturing sites.
• Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Technical Service, Supply Chain, and external laboratories to support business‑critical projects and customer needs.
• 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.
• Drive digitalization and continuous improvement initiatives through data visualization, automation, database management, chemometrics and analytical reporting tools.
• Communicate technical findings, conclusions, and recommendations clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Support laboratory safety, quality systems, regulatory compliance, and governance requirements while maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Polymer Science, Analytical Chemistry, Material Science, Engineering, Data Science or a related field. MS or PhD in a relevant field preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant industrial or academic experience in a laboratory and scientific environment.
• Ability to develop analytical, polymer, microbiology testing methods based on standards and literature references to enhance and expand lab capabilities and solve complex problems.
• Knowledge and laboratory proficiency in microbiology and analytical science and other appropriate characterization methods and techniques.

Skills

• Knowledge of dispersion polymer systems (beneficial).
• Proficiency with analytical equipment such as GC, LC, MS, thermal analysis, DMA