Contract Sensory Panelist (Fragrance)

Who we are at Osmo:

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.

Olfactory Intelligence has applications across industries including fragrance, manufacturing, security, medicine, and more. We believe in the power of automation and thoughtfully applied AI/ML to solve problems beyond the reach of human intuition alone. Osmo is headquartered in Elizabeth, NJ, with an additional office in Somerville, MA.

Osmo is seeking a highly meticulous and olfactively acute individual to join our team as Contract Sensory Panelist (Fragrance). This is a specialized, part-time contract role dedicated exclusively to generating high-quality sensory data that fuels our Olfactory Intelligence models.

Successful candidates will utilize their superior sense of smell to characterize the behavior, performance, and stability of fragrance compounds and fragrance formulas, directly contributing to the digitization of scent. We are looking for individuals with a genuine passion for fragrance and a methodical approach to objective evaluation.

Contract Details

• 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

Key Responsibilities

• Dedicated Olfactory Evaluation: Since smelling is an essential function of this role, you will spend a set number of hours per day actively smelling and evaluating fragrance samples in various formats.

• Data Annotation: Generate highly precise, objective sensory data by performing character and intensity annotations based on Osmo’s internal scales and taxonomic lexicon.

• Stability & Performance Testing: Evaluate the evolution of odor profiles over time, measuring fragrance integrity and performance in samples pulled from stability chambers and various application tests.

• Panel Participation & Protocol Adherence: Act as a dedicated, reliable sensory panelist, rigorously following established protocols and maintaining the highest standards of objectivity and focus.

• Training & Calibration: Participate in required training sessions to ensure high alignment with other panelists and consistency across data points.

Required Qualifications

• Proven Olfactory Acuity: Demonstrated ability to reliably perceive, differentiate, and describe nuanced odor characteristics is essential. (Candidates will be required to pass a sensory acuity screening.)

• Focus and Discipline: Proven ability to maintain a high level of concentration and meticulousness during long-duration, repetitive sensory tasks.

• Methodical Approach: A methodical, objective mindset capable of separating personal preference from analytical sensory assessment.

• Aptitude for Learning: Eagerness and ability to quickly learn and apply Osmo’s internal scales, definitions, and complex olfactive taxonomy.

• Reliability: High level of professionalism, reliability, and commitment to the scheduled daily working hours.

Ways to Stand Out

• Passion for Scent: A genuine, deep-seated passion for fragrance or olfactory science.

• Descriptive Vocabulary: Experience articulating sensory perceptions using descriptive language beyond simple hedonic (like/dislike) terms.

• Scientific Interest: Background or strong interest in chemistry, biology, or psychology, providing a basis for understanding how scent functions.

If this role inspires you we’d encourage you to apply. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining an incredible team optimized for a diversity of thought, background, and approaches.

For all Full-Time Employees, compensation is just one component of Osmo’s total rewards approach, which is designed to support the well-being, growth, and long-term success of our team members. Depending on the role, this may include base salary or contract-based pay, along with access to health, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match; flexible paid time off and company holidays; and equity or incentive compensation for eligible roles. Actual compensation will vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, internal equity, and other relevant business considerations. Osmo regularly reviews pay ranges and compensation structures to ensure they remain competitive, equitable, and aligned with current market data.

All employment decisions and responsibilities are determined based on current ability and your ability to grow, without regard to race, color, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Osmo does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Osmo or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by the Osmo Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Osmo and Osmo will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire