Research Scientist – Epidemiology

Team: Research

Location: Remote with occasional travel and overnight stays

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

Salary: Up to £49,655.50 per year

Contract: 12 month 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 – Epidemiology:

• Lead and support epidemiological research on domestic cat population related projects both internally in Cats Protection and in collaboration with academics and other organisations
• Increase the knowledge and data on the health, disease dynamics, risk factors, and/or welfare issues in various cat populations

About the Research team:

• The Feline Welfare Research Team are a small but growing team of six 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 – Epidemiology:

• Previously undertaken epidemiological, clinical, veterinary and/or animal welfare studies including first author publications
• PhD (i.e. viva completed and all corrections approved) in veterinary medicine, biological science, biostatistics, animal welfare, epidemiology or a related subject
• Experience working with statistics
• Committed to animal welfare
• Interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills

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

Application closing date: 02 February 2026

Virtual interview date: 11 and 12 February 2026

Please apply via the ‘Apply’ button above.

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.

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):