Research Scientist – Population Studies

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, 7 hours per day, flexible working options available

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 – Population Studies:

• Lead and contribute to a diverse range of research projects aligned with the charity’s strategic objectives.
• Advance our population modelling work and investigate cat population dynamics using theoretical, statistical and spatial analysis methodologies.
• Develop peer-reviewed publications in collaboration with internal teams, academic institutions, and external partners.
• Collaborate within the animal welfare sector to translate research findings into usable tools and actionable insights that inform cat population management.

About the Research team:

• The Feline Welfare Research Team are a small but growing team of five scientists, who sit within the wider Cat Welfare department. The team supports the organisation in improving our understanding of feline welfare both on a population and individual basis across a range of disciplines including epidemiology, demography and welfare assessment.
• The team are responsible for providing the charity with scientific expertise. They undertake and facilitate ethically sound domestic cat welfare research of high scientific rigour, ensuring Cats Protection resources are focused on projects that will bring greatest benefit to the charities research priorities and consequently have the greatest long-term impact on domestic cat welfare.

What we’re looking for in our Research Scientist – Population Studies:

• Hold a PhD with a strong quantitative component in Epidemiology, Animal Welfare, Demography, Population Ecology, Biostatistics or a closely related discipline with transferable skills relevant to this role
• Demonstrable expertise in modelling and spatial analysis, alongside a track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience working collaboratively

What we can offer you:

• Range of health benefits
• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
• and much more, which you can learn about here

Virtual interview date: 12 December, 15 December or 16 December 2025

Please note, we do not accept applications or speculative CVs from agencies.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. Anonymised application form
2. Virtual interview and presentation

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Please email recruitment@cats.org.uk if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.

We operate a bias-free application process in our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. To assess your application quickly, fairly and objectively, please fully complete the qualifications and work history sections of our online application form.

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