Full-Time

Senior Researcher

Posted on 10/3/2025

PETA

PETA

501-1,000 employees

Nonprofit advocacy group for animal rights

Compensation Overview

$50k - $62k/yr

Norfolk, VA, USA

In Person

Category
Lab & Research (1)
Requirements
  • Degree in a related field or equivalent research experience; advanced degree preferred
  • Minimum of five years of research work experience
  • Knowledge of animal rights issues and PETA campaigns
  • Demonstrated exceptional written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
  • Proven ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
  • Adherence to a vegan lifestyle
  • Demonstrated support for PETA's philosophy and the ability to professionally advocate PETA's positions on issues
  • Commitment to the objectives of the organization
Responsibilities
  • Thoroughly investigate complex areas of animal exploitation and abuse, and related matters, as assigned
  • Ensure factual accuracy and sourcing for a variety of projects related to PETA's campaign work
  • Consult with the information officer and others regarding research needs
  • Prepare analyses for review
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date project information
  • Draft correspondence and respond to inquiries and requests
  • Perform any other duties, including travel, as required

PETA advocates for animal rights and works to end cruelty toward animals. It targets four major sources of suffering—factory farms, laboratories, the clothing trade, and the entertainment industry—through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns. Its activities include exposing cruelty, lobbying for laws, conducting undercover investigations, rescuing animals, and organizing public campaigns to shift consumer and industry behavior. Unlike many groups that focus on a single issue or region, PETA is the largest animal-rights organization and uses high-profile campaigns and celebrity partnerships to raise awareness and influence policy. The goal is to stop animal suffering and secure legal protections and better treatment for animals.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Norfolk, Virginia

Founded

1980

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Poorva Joshipura's presidency strengthens PETA International's global advocacy reach.
  • PETA toxicologists shaped Canada's strategy to end lifetime cancer tests on rodents.
  • PETA completed 500th spay/neuter in Puerto Rico, rescuing dogs post-Hurricane Maria.

What critics are saying

  • HSUS steals 30% of donors with milder welfare tactics in 12-24 months.
  • Joshipura's leadership fragments US operations, causing turnover in 6-12 months.
  • Aggressive protests trigger lawsuits from farming industries, draining funds now.

What makes PETA unique

  • PETA targets factory farms, labs, clothing, and entertainment for maximum animal suffering reduction.
  • PETA opposes speciesism via education, investigations, rescues, and celebrity protests since 1980.
  • PETA's Science Consortium trains on non-animal toxicity testing with Colgate and IIVS.

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Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Company News

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
Dec 15th, 2025
Exclusive PETA Footage Shows Shocking Fatality at California Racetrack

Exclusive PETA footage shows shocking fatality at California racetrack. Published December 15, 2025 by Scott Miller. Last Updated December 18, 2025. Exclusive video footage shot by PETA shows a catastrophic breakdown and fatal injury during the Champion of Champions stakes race at Los Alamitos Race Course in California on Saturday night, December 13. PETA's video captured 4-year-old Quarter Horse Stanley Cartel suffering a devastating lower-leg fracture that left the limb dangling as he collapsed on the track. Stanley Cartel's death, in what was supposed to be his last race before retiring to stud, marks the latest in a series of serious injuries and fatalities at Los Alamitos, a track already under scrutiny by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) following a recent cluster of equine deaths. Ramiro Castillo previously trained Stanley Cartel before Los Alamitos banned him earlier this week after five horses in his care died since May. Following this incident, PETA is urging the CHRB and Los Alamitos Race Course to take immediate action. People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc. is calling for comprehensive veterinary examinations - including CT scans - of all horses formerly trained by Castillo to identify hidden injuries before they cause more deaths. PETA is also pressing officials to suspend all live racing and training at Los Alamitos so the track can undergo a full, independent safety review. This latest breakdown highlights the urgency of that warning.

The American Bazaar
Sep 12th, 2025
Poorva Joshipura named inaugural president of PETA International

Poorva Joshipura named inaugural president of PETA International.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
Aug 15th, 2025
Canada's New Strategy Could Spare Animals From Chemical Testing, PETA Urges Swift Action

PETA toxicologists collaborated with Health Canada and others to publish a strategy on avoiding lifetime cancer tests on rats and mice.

Friends of the Chicago River
Jun 11th, 2025
Friends Receives PETA's Hooked on Clean Waters Award

In bestowing the award, PETA recognized Friends' annual Chicago River Day which mobilizes thousands of volunteers to clean up litter and restore habitat.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
May 13th, 2025
PETA Science Group, Colgate, and IIVS Team Up to Provide Training on Non-Animal Toxicity Testing

PETA Science Consortium International regularly sponsors this Practical Methods for In Vitro Toxicology Training workshop, which is held at IIVS several times a year.

INACTIVE