Contract Sensory Panelist

About the role

Osmo is a digital olfaction company, on a mission to give computers a sense of smell to improve the health and wellbeing of human life. Why? Our sense of smell both enriches and saves lives, and has a deep and direct connection to our emotions and memory. This role is dedicated exclusively to generating high-quality sensory data that fuels our Olfactory Intelligence models through direct interaction with fragrance compounds. You will utilize your superior sense of smell to characterize the behavior, performance, and stability of these materials in various formats. The position requires a genuine passion for fragrance and a methodical approach to objective evaluation. Successful candidates will directly contribute to the digitization of scent by providing precise and reliable data.

Key facts

What you'll do

Conduct dedicated olfactory evaluation by spending a set number of hours per day actively smelling and evaluating fragrance samples in various formats to assess their characteristics.

Generate highly precise, objective sensory data by performing character and intensity annotations based on Osmo's internal scales and taxonomic lexicon to ensure consistency.

Evaluate the evolution of odor profiles over time by measuring fragrance integrity and performance in samples pulled from stability chambers and various application tests.

Act as a dedicated, reliable sensory panelist by rigorously following established protocols and maintaining the highest standards of objectivity and focus during all sessions.

Participate in required training sessions to ensure high alignment with other panelists and consistency across data points, reinforcing methodological standards.

Maintain meticulous attention to detail to separate personal preference from analytical sensory assessment during all evaluations.

Document observations with accuracy and clarity, adhering to the specific requirements of Osmo's data collection framework.

Ensure reliability by committing to the scheduled daily working hours and demonstrating professionalism in all interactions related to the role.

Contribute to the stability testing process by evaluating samples under defined conditions to assess performance across different environments.

Support the broader goals of olfactory intelligence by providing consistent and high-quality sensory inputs that advance the digitization of scent.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to reliably perceive, differentiate, and describe nuanced odor characteristics is essential, and candidates will be required to pass a sensory acuity screening.

Prove a high level of focus and discipline by maintaining concentration during long-duration, repetitive sensory tasks without deviation.

Employ a methodical, objective mindset capable of separating personal preference from analytical sensory assessment to ensure data integrity.

Show eagerness and ability to quickly learn and apply Osmo's internal scales, definitions, and complex olfactive taxonomy accurately.

Exhibit a high level of professionalism, reliability, and commitment to the scheduled daily working hours to meet the demands of the role.

Maintain strict adherence to all protocols and procedures to uphold the quality and consistency of the sensory data collected.

Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of consistency in panel performance to support collaborative data generation.

Commit to ongoing participation and engagement throughout the contract period to ensure continuity in data collection efforts.

Nice to have

A genuine, deep-seated passion for fragrance or olfactory science that drives active engagement with the material.

Experience articulating sensory perceptions using descriptive language beyond simple hedonic terms like or dislike.

A background or strong interest in chemistry, biology, or psychology, providing a basis for understanding how scent functions and interacts with human perception.

Practical notes

Position Type: Part-Time Contract (90 day probationary period at 20 hours with a potential for 30 hours with benefits)

On-Site Hours: 6 hours per day onsite, 5 days/week but only 4 hours of evaluation with 2 mandatory 30 minute breaks and a 1-hour break.

Hourly Rate: $30/hour for 4 hours of evaluation

Location: Elizabeth, New Jersey