The phrase "bench work" refers to tasks or activities that are performed while sitting at a workbench. It usually involves manual or skill-based work done using tools or equipment on a small scale. Full definition
When I was conducting bench work in an industrial pharmaceutical lab, ethical questions about animal use were never raised. (sciencemag.org)
Although I enjoyed bench work, I decided that it was not my calling, and so I looked for more of a molecular biology office job. (dnalc.org)
Besides conducting bench work, I also organized and ran a new lab, taught several students, wrote annual reports and manuscripts for submission to journals, and prepared and presented posters. (sciencemag.org)