Chemist

About Milk Trak  Milk Trak develops rapid, low-cost, paper-based diagnostic test strips for on-site detection of milk adulteration. The products are designed for use at village milk collection centres and dairy plants to enable early quality screening and reliable decision-making. Milk Trak solutions are developed in collaboration with IIT Madras and are deployed across cooperative and private dairy ecosystems.

Role Overview  We are looking for a  hands-on Chemist  with strong grounding in  wet chemistry and reagent handling , who will take primary responsibility for  day-to-day production of test strips , reagent preparation, in-process quality checks, and batch documentation.
This role is  production-oriented , requiring discipline, consistency, and strict adherence to SOPs rather than exploratory research work.

Key Responsibilities   Wet Chemistry & Reagent Preparation
Prepare chemical reagents and solutions as per validated formulations and SOPs
Handle weighing, dilution, mixing, pH adjustment, and reagent conditioning with accuracy
Ensure correct storage, labeling, and traceability of all reagents
Test Strip Manufacturing
Execute paper-based colorimetric test strip production as per defined processes
Carry out reagent coating, drying, cutting, and packing steps under controlled conditions
Ensure batch-wise consistency and repeatability of strip performance
Quality Control & Process Discipline
Perform in-process QC checks and final batch verification as per internal protocols
Identify deviations in colour response, sensitivity, or stability and report promptly
Ensure adherence to FIFO, batch segregation, and traceability requirements
Documentation & Compliance
Maintain batch manufacturing records, QC logs, reagent preparation records, and lab notebooks
Follow SOPs strictly and support audit-readiness of production documentation
Coordination & Continuous Improvement
Support scale-up activities and troubleshooting in coordination with R&D and production leads
Suggest practical process improvements to improve yield, stability, and operational efficiency
Safety & Housekeeping
Follow laboratory safety practices for chemical handling, storage, and disposal
Maintain cleanliness and order in production and wet chemistry areas
Requirements   1–3 years of hands-on experience in a  wet chemistry laboratory , diagnostics manufacturing, or test kit production environment
Strong fundamentals in  solution chemistry, reagent handling, and basic analytical techniques
Experience working with SOP-driven, batch-based processes
High attention to detail and comfort with repetitive, precision-driven work
Prior exposure to colorimetric tests, paper-based diagnostics, or lateral flow kits  is an advantage (not mandatory)
Willingness to work in a fast-growing, execution-focused startup environment
Who This Role Is Ideal For   Chemists who enjoy  making products work consistently , not just experimenting
Candidates comfortable owning  daily production responsibility
Those looking to grow into production, QC, or manufacturing leadership roles  over time