Research Scientist (Chemistry)

About Testright

Testright is a fast-growing food diagnostics startup focused on building rapid, portable, and field-ready testing solutions for milk quality and adulteration detection. After successfully developing advanced MBRT analyzers and portable milk testing devices, we are now building the next generation of dip-strip based rapid diagnostic solutions for detecting chemical adulterants in milk.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Research Scientist with hands-on experience in lateral flow assays or chemical diagnostic strips to lead the development of next-generation milk adulteration testing dip strips.

The ideal candidate must have prior experience designing, optimizing, and scaling reagent-coated strip platforms with long shelf life and strong field performance.

This role involves taking concepts from chemistry validation to manufacturable strip products with 12–24 month stability.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop chemical and/or immuno-based dip strip assays for milk adulteration detection.
• Select and optimize:
• Membrane materials (nitrocellulose, cellulose, polymer films)
• Reagent immobilization strategies
• Encapsulation and stabilization chemistries
• Improve:
• Sensitivity and specificity
• Shelf life (target ≥12 months)
• Resistance to humidity and temperature variations
• Develop multiplex or multi-zone strip formats.
• Work on colorimetric and/or reader-based detection systems.
• Conduct accelerated stability studies.
• Scale lab prototypes into pilot manufacturing batches.
• Collaborate with electronics and product teams for strip-reader integration.
• Maintain proper documentation for IP filings and regulatory submissions.

Required Qualifications

• M.Sc./PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in diagnostic strip development (lateral flow, dip strips, paper-based assays, or similar platforms).
• Proven experience in:
• Reagent coating and membrane handling
• Stabilization and encapsulation strategies
• Shelf-life enhancement techniques
• Field testing validation
• Strong understanding of redox chemistry, colorimetric assays, or reaction kinetics.
• Experience with food or dairy testing is a strong plus.

Preferred Experience

Prior work on:

• Stability under Indian climatic conditions.
• Multiplex strip formats.
• Integration with handheld readers.
• Patent filing or published research in strip-based diagnostics.

What We’re Building

• Field-deployable dip strips for Synthetic milk markers
• Target use case: Village-level dairy collection centers.
• Goal: Field-grade accuracy in a 1–2 minute test.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to build category-defining dairy diagnostic products.
• Ownership of R&D vertical.
• Direct impact on food safety at national scale.
• ESOPs for the right candidate.
• Freedom to innovate and file patents.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: ₹30,000.00 - ₹60,000.00 per month

Application Question(s):

• If selected, how soon will you be able to join?
• What is your current in-hand monthly salary?

Experience:

• total work: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person