Careers
Welcome Graduates!
Recent graduate or early in your career? BASF is a great place to jump start your career! Join us to make an impact.
The world needs us and we need you!
At BASF, we have several exciting routes into BASF. Our START IN trainee programs offer ambitious graduates an exciting entry opportunity for various careers. Whether business managers, engineers or natural scientists: we are looking for talent who stand out as a result of their personality and skills. Our trainee programs offer the perfect START IN the world of BASF.
BASF also offers two additional trainee programs: Top Start and Inside Automotive – a Global Rotational Program.
Our Top Start Program is offered to exceptional talents from either International Business or Engineering & Maintenance. INSIDE Automotive targets university graduates and young professionals who combine a passion for marketing and sales with a good grasp of and aptitude for technology.
Not interested in a trainee program? We also offer regular career opportunities for recent graduates! Right from the start, you do exciting work and assume responsibility for your own projects.
Whatever path you envision, BASF is a great place to build a rewarding and successful career.
After my studies & PhD in business administration, I joined BASF in the TOP START program to get in touch with a variety of different placements in a short period of time. Ever since, I enjoy every day working with colleagues across the world to create value for business units and the company as a whole.
Keke Hiller
Head of Procurement Functional Raw Materials EMEA
Learn more about job opportunities for graduates
Business & Corporate Functions
Engineering & Production
Natural Sciences & Research
Start-In Program
- START IN Agro Europe
- START IN Agro Germany
- START IN Engineering & Technology
- START IN Environment, Health & Safety
- START IN Finance, Controlling & Audit
- START IN Global Intellectual property
- START IN Human Resources
- START IN Procurement
- START IN Technical Management
- START IN Trainee Programs
- START IN Coatings | Business
- START IN Coatings | Engineering
- START IN Coatings | Human Resources
- START IN Coatings | Procurement
- START IN Coatings | Supply Chain
Others
Questions for graduates and job starters
FAQ
Are the positions advertised online up-to-date?
Yes. All positions advertised on our career pages are current. The job postings are only removed once the positions have been filled.
Where can I find information on the latest job postings?
There are two ways to get information on new positions. You can either create job agents via the BASF talent community. To do so, please register for our talent community and enter your search criteria as keywords and location directly underneath your personal data. You can now select the frequency with which you want to be informed and safe the job agent. In order to cancel the job agent, you can log into the talent community and delete your job agent via checking the mark. You can always edit or delete your job agents. Alternatively, you can create job agents in our online application system. Please log into your candidate profile, select the item “Job Agents” and click on “Add”. After selecting the search criteria, please safe as job agent. You can now type in a name and select the frequency with which you want to be informed and click on “safe”. Now your job agent is active. You can always edit or delete your job agents.
How do I apply?
When applying for a job in our global job search you will be forwarded to register at our BASF Talent Community first. There you can activate a personal job agent to receive e-mails with the latest job openings. After registration, you will get to the regional application system to complete your application or receive further information on how to apply.
Please apply via our online application systems and use one single e-mail address. Candidates applying for a vocational training program in Germany or joint work/study program should go to the following link.
What elements are involved in the application process? Will I have to attend an assessment center?
BASF assesses candidates’ applications to decide which of the open positions they are best suited to. The business unit in question then decides whether or not to invite the candidate to an interview day.
The invited candidates then take part in several interviews with representatives of the technical unit and BASF recruitment staff. BASF has found this approach to be extremely worthwhile – as one-on-one interviews offer an excellent opportunity to really get to know the applicant, and we consider personal impressions to be very important. Over the course of the skills-focused interviews, we establish whether the candidate’s specialist knowledge and abilities tally with the requirements of the post. The applicant also has the opportunity to meet future managers and colleagues. As a result of the success we have had with personal interviews, BASF does not include assessment centers in its recruitment process.
How many months in advance should I apply to a position?
The application deadlines vary for the individual positions. You can apply to a job posting as long as it is still advertised.
Who is my contact partner at BASF for my application?
Several BASF employees are involved in the application process and process your application which means we cannot name one specific contact. Please address your cover letter with "Dear Sir or Madam".
How can I find out about the status of my application?
You can see the current status of your application at any time in your online application profile.
Does BASF offer trainee or entry programs for university graduates?
The BASF START IN program offers a wide range of challenging trainee programs for university graduates and young professionals with up to 3 years professional experience. Click here for more information.
Are there fixed entry dates for the program, in other words, when can I apply for the START IN BASF trainee program?
Click here for information on the START IN BASF trainee program.
How generous are salaries?
Wages at BASF are in line with industry standards, and depend on the type of role and your personal performance.
Which other documents should I attach to my application?
You can find more information on which documents are required for the application process here.
Can I use data that I have already provided BASF for another application?
You can use any data you have already saved in our online application system for other applications. If you want to apply in another region, you might have to register again. Our global job search will automatically redirect you to the right online application system. An overview of all systems can be found here.
Can I send one application to be considered for several positions?
For data privacy reasons, we ask for your understanding in that we cannot process one application for several positions.
Can I apply to several locations or for several positions at the same time?
You are welcome to apply to several locations or for different positions.
Will my applications be processed at the same time?
All applications are processed irrespective of when they were received.
I would like to apply to an international BASF location! Who should I contact?
You can find all of our open positions worldwide via our global job search. If you find an interesting position you will be forwarded to our BASF Talent Community, where you can create job agents to get news and information from BASF. Then, you will be forwarded to the regional online application system. An overview of the different systems worldwide can be found here.
Am I sent a notification once I have sent my application?
As soon as you have applied for a position, you will receive immediately confirmation that we have received your application. Please ensure to complete your online application successfully by clicking "Send application".
All data provided to BASF is handled strictly in accordance with German data protection legislation. All candidate information obtained via our online application system, is treated in the strictest confidence and is used exclusively for staffing, recruiting marketing or talent relationship activities.
Am I sent correspondence by e-mail?
If you have given us your e-mail address, we prefer to send all correspondence by e-mail.
Can I postpone the date for my selection interview?
If you cannot take part in a selection interview, please contact our application hotline as soon as possible to arrange a new date, if possible.
Will my travel costs be reimbursed?
You will receive more information on the BASF travel cost guidelines when you are invited to an interview.
How do I get my travel costs reimbursed?
You will receive more information on the BASF travel cost guidelines when you are invited to an interview.
Do you prefer candidates who have previously carried out an internship or thesis placement at BASF?
When hiring people, we base our decisions on applicants’ specialist expertise and their personality. We look for an entrepreneurial mindset, a flexible attitude and good social skills. Naturally, an internship or thesis placement offers a great opportunity to make personal contacts at BASF, and to get a look behind the scenes. This can be an advantage when applying for jobs further down the line.
It goes without saying that BASF is a "Fair Company". This means that we offer internships as a means of career orientation during your training course.
What development opportunities are open to university graduates?
BASF is a company focused on technology. Our executives not only require management skills but also a broader vision for technology advancements and an instinctive understanding of global markets. Irrespective of the position you take when you join our company, or what degree you hold, you can move between different areas of the business, and experience a wide range of roles, before opting to pursue a career as either a specialist or as a manager: Job rotation and job enrichment are an integral part of your development at BASF.
Are graduate bachelors welcome to apply?
BASF has supported the Bologna process from the very start which was designed to ensure comparability in the standards and quality of higher education qualifications within Europe. The company has also signed up to the "More Bachelors and Masters Welcome" program. We welcome and endorse the new bachelor and master degree programs. BASF is constantly looking for qualified university graduates with an international and ambitious mindset from all subject fields and with all types of degrees.
Are the same opportunities open to technical university graduates and graduate bachelors?
The opportunities are the same for everyone. Your career progression and development will depend on your personality, your ability and your commitment. Irrespective of the position you take when you join our company, you can move between different areas of the business, and experience a wide range of roles, before opting to concentrate on a career as either a specialist or as a manager. We will provide you with all the training and support you need.
What degree subjects do BASF need the most?
BASF welcome graduates from all degree subjects.
When selecting graduate candidates, we base our decision on whether or not you have the right technical skills for the position, and also the right personal skills.
Can I apply for a doctorate at BASF?
You can find all of our open positions worldwide via our global job search. If you don't find an interesting position you can send us your unsolicited application. Please specify the area you wish to focus on in your cover letter. All information on the application process can be found on our career sites.
Do you also accept applications from freelancers?
Unfortunately it is not possible to apply for a job as a freelancer. Should you be interested in a permanent or temporary position with BASF, please feel free to visit our global job search regularly to view the latest job postings. You can also register for the BASF Talent Community to receive specific opportunities per email.
Can I take part in a retraining program at BASF?
Unfortunately we do not offer a retraining program at BASF.
Does BASF also offer temporary and casual jobs?
You can apply for a temporary or casual job on our online application system.