Ever wonder how AI will learn to work in a lab? You could teach it. Project Bunsen, a OneForma initiative, is building a real-world dataset of laboratory work — titrations, pipetting, test-tube handling, and clinical/biochem testing to help train the next generation of AI systems. No robots are operated and nothing is simulated: you'll perform real lab procedures exactly as you normally would on the job, while wearing an egocentric (point-of-view) camera and a lightweight hand-tracking gripper that records your technique. This is hands-on, meaningful work at the edge of AI research and it pays hourly, not per task, so you're compensated for your full time, training, and expertise, not just the finished output. Built for working (and recently retired) professionals Certified or practicing lab professionals (2+ years) — such as lab technicians, phlebotomists, chemists, etc. — are a strong fit. Pharmacists and other chemistry/clinical professionals welcome. Newly retired professionals from pharmacy or chemistry backgrounds — your established technique is exactly what we need to capture. What You'll Actually Be Doing Perform standard lab procedures you already do professionally — titrations, pipetting, sample handling, biochem/clinical tests at your normal, expert pace. Wear a comfortable, egocentric (first-person point-of-view) camera along with a hand-tracking gripper device that captures your technique in action. Only your arms and hands will be recorded — your face and the rest of your body will not appear in the recordings. The camera is head-mounted and worn for the full session, so hairstyles that prevent a secure, stable fit — such as large updos, extensions, or certain head coverings — may not be compatible with the equipment; please plan accordingly on session day. If you have a current head, neck, or scalp injury, or any condition that would make it unsafe or uncomfortable to wear a head-mounted device, please let us know before scheduling. Work through both gripper-based and bare-hand tasks in the same session (training the gripper is provided — no prior experience needed). Some tasks involve repetitive or tedious hand and arm movement (e.g., pipetting, gripper use); ten-minute breaks are provided every hour to rest your hands and arms. Most tasks are performed standing at a lab bench — you should be able to stand for the full session (up to several hours), with hourly breaks available to rest, stretch, or sit as needed. Follow safe, standardized Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) procedures using approved consumable substitutes, not hazardous live samples. All sessions follow applicable OSHA workplace safety standards, standard PPE is provided, and no glass is used — all lab equipment (test tubes, beakers, pipettes, etc.) is plastic. Help build one of the first large-scale, real-world datasets teaching AI systems what expert lab technique looks like.
Who We're Looking For:
Any of these backgrounds put you in a strong position: Certified or practicing lab technicians with 2+ years of hands-on experience. Phlebotomists, dental hygienists, or nursing professionals/aides. Pharmacists or other chemistry/clinical professionals. Newly retired professionals from pharmacy or chemistry backgrounds looking for flexible, paid project work. You'll also need to be: Comfortable being recorded (video + motion capture) while you work — this is core to the role. Confident in lab safety, PPE, and GLP-based procedures from professional experience. Available for one scheduled session, on an hourly, independent-contractor basis, with some flexibility for weekends. Why This Role Is Different You're not just filling a seat, you're helping shape how AI understands real, physical lab expertise for years to come. A single paid session, not a long-term commitment — fits around school or existing work. Paid training on any equipment you haven't used before (e.g., transitioning from 5-finger to 2-finger gripper tasks). Be part of the ground floor of a landmark AI data collection initiative, not a routine gig. OneForma welcomes experts from every background. Eligibility and selection are based on the requirements of each project, without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, cultural background, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.