Research Scientist – Cat Behaviour and Welfare

CATS PROTECTION; United States; Remote; USD 41,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing support

Flexible working options

26 days annual leave

Pension and life assurance

Pet insurance discount

Job summary

Cats Protection, the UK’s largest cat welfare charity, seeks a Research Scientist to advance population and welfare research. The role involves leading studies with internal and external partners, managing multiple projects, and publishing findings to support evidence-based welfare improvements.

Remote work from the UK with occasional travel, 9am-5pm, 35 hours weekly, fixed-term 6 months. Collaboration across Cat Welfare and Operations is essential for impactful results.

Qualifications

• PhD in animal behaviour, animal welfare, human-animal interactions, veterinary medicine, biological science or related subject.
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative research projects.
• Animal welfare studies with first-author publications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cat population and welfare research with internal and external partners.
• Design and deliver research projects aligned with charity goals.
• Lead qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Carry out literature reviews to provide evidence-based guidance.
• Perform fieldwork and site visits to collect research data.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to support welfare assessment tools.
• Provide research expertise to colleagues across Cat Welfare and Operations.
• Represent Cats Protection at conferences and external events.

Skills

Quantitative research

Qualitative research

First author publications

Interpersonal communication

Data analysis

Education

PhD in animal behaviour / welfare / human-animal interactions / veterinary medicine / biological science

Tools

IT literacy

Job description

Location: Remote in the UK with occasional travel and overnight stays

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £51,443.10 per year

Contract: 6 months fixed term contract

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our Research Scientist

• Work on cat population and welfare research projects, both within Cats Protection and with external partners, to improve knowledge, assessment and outcomes for cat welfare.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of research projects aligned with the charity’s objectives.
• Lead qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and reporting, including scientific publications, while managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Conduct literature reviews to provide evidence-based recommendations and best practice guidance for internal and external stakeholders.
• Carry out fieldwork and site visits to collect research data where required.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the development and adoption of welfare assessment tools.
• Provide research expertise, analysis and support to colleagues across Cat Welfare, Operations and other directorates.
• Represent Cats Protection at conferences, events and other external engagements.

About the Research team:

The Cat Welfare Research Team manages, delivers and shares feline welfare research across Cats Protection, helping develop understanding of cat welfare at both population and individual levels, including epidemiology, demography and welfare assessment.

The team provides scientific expertise through high-quality, ethical research, ensuring resources are focused on projects that align with research priorities and deliver the greatest long-term benefit to cat welfare.

What we’re looking for:

• PhD qualification in animal behaviour, animal welfare, human-animal interactions, veterinary medicine, biological science or related subject
• Worked on both quantitative and qualitative research projects
• Undertaken animal welfare studies including first author publications
• Applied animal welfare and husbandry experience, e.g., in shelter/zoo/animal charity/veterinary/ unowned/community context
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
• High level of IT literacy including the ability to analyse complex data to a high level of accuracy and produce reports in a clear and precise format

What we can offer you:

• Health and wellbeing support to help you stay well while working remotely
• Flexible working options to support a healthy work-life balance
• 26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
• A competitive contributory pension scheme and life assurance
• Access to discounted pet insurance to help care for your pet’s health

Virtual interview date: 13, 16 and 17 November 2026

Cats Protection is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and protecting anyone that comes into contact with us from harm. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be subject to a criminal record check if required for the role.

We believe being an inclusive, diverse organisation - where we welcome diversity of thought, value individuals' experience and can reach and partner all areas of society - is crucial if we're to help more cats. Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

There’s a place for everyone at Cats Protection and we encourage applications from talented people across all communities.