Data Science Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship

Job Description

About the Company: BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company, dedicated to creating chemistry for a sustainable future by balancing economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, its North American affiliate, BASF Corporation, is based in Florham Park, New Jersey, with approximately 16,000 employees and sales of $19.7 billion in 2024.

BASF’s ambition is to be the preferred chemical company enabling customers’ green transformation. They achieve this through science and innovation, helping customers in nearly every industry meet societal needs. Their portfolio includes core businesses like Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care, with standalone businesses in Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions.

BASF is committed to fostering an exceptional workplace that values diversity, employee well-being, and development. This commitment has earned them numerous awards and accolades, including:
• Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health (Mental Health America, 2024-25)
• Best Employers: Excellence in Health & Well-being award (Business Group on Health)
• Best In Class 401(k) Plan (PLANSPONSOR, 2025)
• Ranked among the Top 50 Employers by Minority Engineer Magazine readers.
• 22nd on Fair360’s (formerly Diversity Inc) 2024 Top 50 Companies List.
• America’s Best Large Employers and World’s Best Employers by Forbes and Statista.
• 2025 “Equality 100 Award” from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index for the 11th consecutive year, recognizing leadership in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

The company emphasizes lifelong learning and career development, aiming to form the best team from within. They are an equal opportunity employer committed to pay transparency, with a competitive semi-monthly pay range for this role.

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Job Description: Data Science Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship

This is a 10 to 12-week Data Science Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship at BASF, offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in dynamic Production, Manufacturing, Business (Sales & Marketing), and Research and Development (R&D) teams.

Program Overview:
The internship is designed to provide hands-on experience working on impactful projects that support BASF’s business objectives. Interns will collaborate closely with seasoned professionals and talented data scientists, gaining insights into data science processes and strategies. The program aims to accelerate career growth by providing leadership opportunities and strategic insights critical for a successful future in data science. No two days are alike, as interns will engage in a dynamic environment, tackling diverse challenges, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and adapting to rapidly changing situations, offering opportunities to innovate and problem-solve in real-time.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:
• Work within various areas across the organization, including Production, Manufacturing, Business (Sales & Marketing), and Research and Development (R&D) teams.
• Gain experience with the technical and scientific aspects of plant engineering.
• Work with mentors and gain exposure to senior leadership through high-impact initiatives.
• Be “hands-on” and lead high-value projects, executing deliverables during all phases of an analytics project, from definition to completion.
• Develop appropriate machine learning and optimization models.
• Collaborate with members from other functions to gather and validate necessary data.
• Present project results and benefits to key stakeholders and internal clients.

Professional Development and Tools:
Interns will gain exposure to a wide range of data science applications and digital tools, including:
• Programming Languages: Python, R
• Frameworks/Libraries: RShinv, Dash, Flask
• Web Technologies: HTML
• Version Control: Git
• Databases: SQL
• Data Visualization: Tableau, PowerBI
• Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure
• Data Platforms: Databricks
• Containerization/Virtualization: Virtual environments, Docker containers
• And many more.

At the end of the internship, participants will present their summer project to fellow interns, BASF employees, and senior leaders, showcasing their impact and contributions.

Mentorship and Networking:
• Each participant is assigned a peer mentor (full-time program participant) for guidance throughout the internship.
• Opportunities to develop expertise, network at senior levels, and establish lasting mentoring relationships.
• Interns can participate in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at their site, expanding their network and growing personally and professionally.
• A week-long orientation at headquarters in New Jersey provides engagement opportunities with alumni and executive leadership.
• Collaboration with full-time P/LDP program participants to organize and participate in a community service volunteer day for National Intern Day.

Relocation and Future Opportunities:
• Applicants must be mobile-minded and open to relocation, as placements may occur at any BASF site across the country (e.g., Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, Louisiana). This enhances exposure to diverse business environments and global operations. All assignments are in-person or hybrid.
• Interns will be assessed for a potential returning internship offer or a full-time position in BASF’s 2-year rotational program.

What BASF is Looking For (Qualifications):
• Education: Student majoring in Data Science, Data Analytics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related Engineering Majors.
• Graduation Date: Between December 2026 and July 2029.
• GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2.
• Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with tools such as Python and R programming.
• Basic knowledge of machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data, and new technologies.
• Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without restrictions.
• Mobility: Willing to relocate anywhere in the country during and after the program.
• Soft Skills/Experience:
• Demonstrate previous leadership experience and academic achievement.
• Active participation in extracurricular activities and on-campus organizations.
• Previous internship/co-op experience is preferred.
• Strong interest in the manufacturing or chemical industry.
• Project management experience is beneficial.

Pay Transparency:
The competitive Pay Range for this role is $1,907 – $2,340 semi-monthly. Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.