Staff Chemist

Now hiring! Staff Chemist

Port Arthur, TX (Onsite)

We are looking for a Staff Chemist to join our Petrochemicals team in Port Arthur, TX.

Come create chemistry with us!

BASF’s Petrochemical Division is driving operational excellence and product quality by delivering high-integrity analytical data that ensures environmental compliance, optimizes process performance, and upholds customer trust—directly fueling our company's growth and reputation in the chemical industry.

The Staff Chemist plays a critical role in enabling this success by overseeing the Water Lab’s full operations and ensuring all analyses meet rigorous safety, regulatory, and quality standards. By managing internal and external lab testing, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring timely, reliable data, this role empowers informed decision-making and seamless plant performance that aligns with both operational and strategic goals.

As a Staff Chemist, you create chemistry by...

• Managing daily Water Lab activities, maintaining safe working conditions, ensuring regulatory compliance (OSHA, environmental laws), and overseeing chemical inventory and procedure updates.
• Conducting risk assessments (HIRA), upholding lab safety standards, and training BASF and contract employees per the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Providing critical analytical support for Operations and EHS, leading quality control for Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and supporting catalyst performance and environmental testing.
• Collaborating with internal teams and third-party vendors to ensure accurate sampling, water/steam quality, and reliable analyzer performance.
• Overseeing lab data systems, managing sample tracking, validating lab service invoices, and providing analytical data for business, logistics, and billing purposes.

If you...

Have a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
Possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in an industrial lab or plant operations setting in a chemical plant or refinery.
Are familiar with regulatory requirements including OSHA, EPA, and other environmental agencies.
Have a strong knowledge of analytical chemistry techniques and laboratory best practices.
Can lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with multiple departments and external vendors.

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 myhr@basf.com 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.