Performance and Claims Specialist - Hair Care

About the role

Join BASF’s Personal Care team in Tarrytown, NY as a Performance and Claims Specialist focusing on hair care. You will lead advanced in‑vitro hair performance testing, claims substantiation, and method development to support new product innovation and scientific differentiation.

Key responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret in‑vitro studies evaluating hair care product performance and supporting technical and marketing claims.
• Operate and develop methods using advanced hair characterization equipment such as Bolero Hair Motion Analysis System, Diastron Tensile Testing Systems, and Zwick Mechanical Testing Systems.
• Utilize advanced imaging and image analysis to assess hair fiber morphology, damage, shine, curl formation, frizz behavior, color retention, and treatment efficacy.
• Develop innovative testing methodologies for hair strength, breakage resistance, curl retention, conditioning, thermal protection, humidity resistance, and overall hair health.
• Analyze and correlate instrumental and imaging data with consumer‑perceived benefits, creating clear visualizations for scientific findings.
• Support projects involving textured, curly, coily, and ethnically diverse hair types and collaborate with formulation, clinical, consumer scientists, marketing, global R&D, and customers.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Hair Science, Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or related field (advanced degree strongly preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in hair performance testing, cosmetic science, fiber characterization, or related fields.
• Hands‑on experience with instrumental performance testing and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of hair fiber structure, mechanics, and performance evaluation.

Required skills

• Proficiency with Bolero Hair Motion Analysis System, Diastron Tensile Testing Systems, Zwick Mechanical Testing Systems.
• Advanced imaging techniques, digital image analysis, microscopy, and image‑based performance assessment.
• Method development and claims substantiation expertise.
• Knowledge of hair science, especially for ethnic, textured, curly, and coily hair.

What we offer

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible.
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match.
• Comprehensive mental health support for employees and their families.
• Family forming benefits including fertility, adoption, surrogacy reimbursement, and parental leave.
• Back‑up child and elder care discount programs.
• Mentoring, career development, and matching gifts programs.
• Employee discounts, access to BASF wine cellar, and more.