Cats Protection
Senior Research Scientist
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Senior Research Scientist – Feline Welfare & Behaviour
Team
Research at Cats Protection
Location
Remote in the UK with occasional overnight stays and weekends for meetings/conferences
Work Pattern
- 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
- Open to flexible working requests
Salary & Contract
- Salary: Up to £65,416.08 per year
- Contract: Permanent
About the Charity
We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity, driven by passionate teams, volunteers and supporters across the country. Every day, we work tirelessly to enhance the lives of millions of cats and their human companions.
Could this be you? Join us and help make a real difference for cats.
About the Research Team
The Cat Welfare Research Team is responsible for:
- Managing, delivering, and disseminating key feline welfare research across Cats Protection.
- Supporting the organisation in advancing understanding of domestic cat welfare by exploring:
- Population and individual-level welfare (epidemiology, demography).
- Welfare assessment tools and methodologies.
- Providing scientific expertise to guide the charity’s resources toward high-impact research priorities.
- Conducting research of ethical rigor and scientific excellence to drive tangible improvements in domestic cat welfare.
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Responsibilities
As the Senior Research Scientist, you will lead and shape the following:
- Workstream leadership: Oversee feline welfare and behaviour research, including the development and deployment of innovative welfare assessment tools across the charity.
- Team management: Lead a small team of researchers, with full oversight of day-to-day research activities.
- Collaborative partnerships: Work both internally within Cats Protection and externally with academics and organizations to strengthen knowledge and data on feline welfare.
Requirements
Candidates must demonstrate the following:
- A PhD in:
- Veterinary medicine
- Biological science
- Animal behaviour and welfare
- A related field.
- Proven experience in:
- Conducting animal welfare research, including publication of research papers.
- Leadership skills:
- Experience leading and developing research teams.
- Ability to:
- Use scientific evidence to inform policy and organisational decision-making.
- Engage confidently with senior stakeholders.
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What We Can Offer
- Private medical insurance plus a health cash plan.
- 20% discount on PetPlan insurance.
- Immediate life assurance from day one.
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
- 26 days annual leave (increasing with service), plus bank holidays.
- And much more—explore full benefits here.
Next Steps
- Application closing date: 26th July 2026 (applications may close earlier—apply early).
- Virtual interviews: 18th & 19th August 2026.
Notes:
- Do not apply via recruitment agencies.
- Invited applicants will complete:*
- An anonymised application form +
- Virtual interview with presentation.
- If adapting your application due to accessibility needs, email recruitment@cats.org.uk for adjustments.
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