Workplace type: Fully remote
About the Position and Team
Rethink Priorities (RP) is seeking a highly analytical Researcher or Senior Researcher to investigate complex questions arising at the intersection of AI and animals — taking priority research projects from vague, important questions through to delivered, decision-useful output.
This position sits within RP’s Animal Welfare Department, which advances and pioneers evidence-based, reason-driven change for animals. Within the department, the AI × Animals Program works to steer the animal movement through an AI-transformed future toward the best possible world for animals. We believe AI will significantly affect animal welfare and advocacy, and that far too little work is going into navigating that transition well for animals. We pair disciplined prioritisation research — mapping where AI matters for animals and which interventions are worth funding, incubating, or scaling — with an action arm that builds talent and coordination infrastructure.
To get a sense of the questions you would investigate, see the executive summaries of our reports on AI and aquaculture (Part 1, Part 2) and on AI and cultivated meat. Many projects are self-generated from questions we think deserve attention; others are commissioned by mission-aligned funders and advocacy organisations. A typical project means scoping a fuzzy question, choosing a proportionate method, and producing something a decision-maker can act on.
You will own research questions end to end and exercise real judgement about what to investigate and how. The level of autonomy scales with seniority:
- At the Researcher level, you’ll execute projects with regular guidance from your manager on methodology and prioritisation, while taking increasing ownership of day-to-day decisions.
- At the Senior Researcher level, you’ll scope and run projects with minimal oversight, take the initiative to learn methods you haven’t used before, and be consulted by program leadership on strategic decisions such as which projects the program should take on.
Reporting and collaboration. The successful candidate will report to Kevin Xia (Senior Research Manager) and collaborate across the program and the wider Animal Welfare Department.
This role is open at two levels — Researcher and Senior Researcher — and you may indicate which you’re applying for. We may make an offer at a level above or below the one you applied for if the hiring process suggests it’s a better fit; the final level (and corresponding salary) is set using RP’s title structure and salary algorithm based on demonstrated competencies and relevant experience.
Key Responsibilities
As a Researcher / Senior Researcher, your main responsibilities will include:
- Scoping vague but important questions around AI x Animals — choosing the right depth, angle, and methodology for each, from literature reviews to modelling, data analysis, or expert interviews.
- Conducting independent research on complex questions, addressing uncertainty and competing perspectives explicitly.
- Engaging external stakeholders to understand their needs and shape deliverables to their specifications.
- Producing decision-useful outputs from inception to delivery, in the best-fit format (report, model, dashboard), translated into practical recommendations for decision-makers.
- Managing projects end to end — keeping them on track, reporting progress, and proactively identifying mitigations when barriers arise.
The balance of these responsibilities, and the autonomy you’ll have, depends on the level you’re hired at. At the Senior Researcher level, you will own these responsibilities at higher autonomy and help co-create the overall research strategy for the program. You will also build and steward more external relationships with funders, advocates, and field experts.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Skills and Competencies
Required for all applicants:
- An abiding commitment to RP’s mission for animals — you keep impact at the centre of project decisions and prioritise it over interestingness.
- Strong applied-research judgement. You can take a vague, important question, scope it sensibly, choose sound methodology, and reach a defensible answer under time pressure.
- Strong analytical and quantitative reasoning. Ability and willingness to use, build, and interpret models and quantitative concepts. (Deep statistical or programming expertise is not required — see “nice to have.”)
- Clear written communication. You explain a chain of reasoning and convey complex ideas to decision-makers, not just to peers, and organise writing for its intended audience.
- Reasoning transparency. You give caveated, decision-useful answers under uncertainty — documenting key steps, stating uncertainties, and sourcing major claims — rather than waiting for certainty.
- A steadfast commitment to truthseeking, intellectual openness to diverse viewpoints, and research ethics.
- Resourcefulness and problem-solving. You find tractable ways into open-ended problems.
- Self- and project management in a remote, distributed, asynchronous team — setting and meeting realistic goals and keeping work organised.
- Collaboration and stakeholder engagement. You work effectively toward shared goals and interact professionally with colleagues and external partners.
Additionally expected at the Senior Researcher level:
- Greater autonomy and ownership — you initiate, plan, and run projects with little oversight, and refine your approach so recurring problems don’t recur.
- Strategic and critical thinking at program scale — anticipating risks and opportunities and prioritizing between projects.
- Proactive outreach — independently building and maintaining external relationships and representing RP credibly in professional settings.
- Review and feedback — giving honest, constructive, timely feedback on others’ work across clarity, rigor, and impact.
Nice to have (none required):
- Skill with strategic decision-making tools (e.g. stakeholder mapping, scenario analysis).
- Familiarity with AI/ML concepts or model evaluation.
- A fluent, AI-native working style — you already use current AI tools effectively in your own research workflow.
- Domain expertise in a relevant priority area (e.g. AI strategy, safety, or governance; farmed animal welfare; alternative proteins; or wild animal welfare).
- Experience working or volunteering in the AI safety or animal advocacy space.
- Familiarity with the ideas and methods used in high-impact, evidence-led philanthropy.
- Proficiency with R or Python.
What We Offer
Compensation
- We offer an annual salary between $80,000 – $135,000 USD pre-tax for a full-time position, prorated for part-time work.
- The exact salary will be based on the candidate’s prior relevant experience and corresponding title level, and calculated using RP’s salary algorithm.
- Compensation is not restricted to the currencies listed above.
- To ensure fairness across the entire organization, RP does not negotiate salaries.
Other Benefits
- Opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing, high-impact organization — our research is used by key decision-makers who influence the distribution of hundreds of millions of charitable dollars.
- Remote-first environment, including flexible work hours and schedule.
- Comprehensive global benefits program, including statutory benefits as required by local law, and supplemental benefits specific to each country (varies by location)
- Generous paid time off (PTO) and unpaid leave, including:
- Unlimited vacation with a minimum number of required statutory days off
- “Mandated” 3 weeks total mid- and end-year organization-wide breaks
- Unlimited (within reason) personal and sick paid and unpaid leave
- Parental leave — at least 4 – 9 months of a combination of paid and unpaid leave, available prior to and/or during the first 2 years after a child’s birth or adoption
- Other paid and unpaid leave (e.g., bereavement)
- Technology stipend of $2,000 USD equivalent every 3 years for work and office equipment.
- AI tools budget of $40 USD equivalent monthly.
- Professional development budget amount subject to leadership approval that renews yearly.
- Learning opportunities, including workshops/training sessions and 10% of work time dedicated to professional and personal development.
- Paid work trips, including one annual all-staff Mega Team Retreat and relevant conferences.
- Virtual co-working spaces, including a private Rethink Priorities Focusmate group
- RP Peer Support Program for New Employees.
- Other benefits at the discretion of RP Leadership.
- A caring team that values respectful work relations and a healthy work-life balance.
- Opportunities to grow/advance your career and engage in professional development.
- Low administrative bureaucracy.
- We don’t provide snacks, but we could mail you a box of Oreos if you want!
Application Deadline: July 19, 2026