Research Policy Lead

Position Overview: Washington, D.C., nonprofit working to replace the use of animals in research is seeking a professional with a minimum of five years of federal lobbying experience to promote alternatives to the use of animals in medical research through legislative advocacy and outreach.

About the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Industry: Nonprofit organization

The Physicians Committee’s Mission and Vision: The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is dedicated to saving and improving human and animal lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. Our vision is to create a healthier world in which health and compassion are central values in science and medicine.

The Physicians Committee’s Values:

• • Compassion: We encourage compassion for people and animals.
  • Health: We promote good health through good nutrition. We practice what we preach by having a vegan office environment, ongoing nutrition education, and a culture that supports health and wellness.
  • Truth: We base our recommendations on evidence, not on biases or what is commonly accepted.
  • Professionalism: We hold our work to the highest standards, down to the last detail. This shows up in our scientific publications, our campaign work, and our public communications, and also in our appearance, our work ethic, how we keep our workspaces and take care of our resources, our focus on professional development, and the courtesies we extend to others.
  • Action: We speak out against unhealthful, dangerous, and unethical practices. We push limits and persevere.
  • Innovation: We bring new approaches to solving problems and continually seek ways to be more effective. We are not afraid to take risks.
  • Urgency: Our problems are urgent, and so are our responses. We stay alert to issues that need our attention and stay in close touch with one another and with our members and partners so we’re able to take immediate action whenever necessary.
  • Dedication: This is a cause, not just a job. We go the extra mile to bring about a healthier, more compassionate world.
  • Collaboration: Working together, everyone achieves more. We collaborate with each other, with our members, and with other organizations.
  • Positivity: We approach our work with optimism. We plan with the end in mind and envision success.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Organization-Size: Approximately 100 employees.

Employee Benefits: Primary health and financial benefits:

• • Health insurance with 100% of the deductible and 75% of the premium paid by the Physicians Committee for full-time employees.
  • Dental insurance available at a group discount.
  • 403(b) retirement savings plan with matching contribution of $0.50 per dollar up to 6% of salary.
  • Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care expenses which allows paying for some expenses on a pretax basis.
  • Pretax purchase of Metro fare.
  • Long-term disability income protection insurance and life insurance fully paid for by the Physicians Committee.
  • 20 days of paid time off to start plus 14 paid holidays.

Learn More About the Physicians Committee: We invite you to visit our website at PCRM.org or our YouTube channel.

About the Role

Position Title/Job Function: Research Policy Lead

Position Objective: Replace the use of animals in medical research through legislative advocacy and outreach.

About the Research and Regulatory Affairs Team: The Physicians Committee’s Research and Regulatory Affairs team is composed of experts in human-specific, nonanimal research, education, and testing methods. We collaborate with regulators, private industry, academic scientists, and policymakers to promote and develop those methods in order to improve human health and replace the use of animals. We engage with grassroots advocates, legislators, and the media to achieve this.

Essential Functions:

Advocacy and Outreach:

• • Lead congressional outreach activities to replace animal research with human-based approaches, including through lobbying, communications with congressional members and staff, educational and scientific briefings, and meetings.
  • Build collaborative relationships with research agencies, congressional staff, academic scientists, and other organizations.
  • Represent the Physicians Committee to a variety of audiences including staff on Capitol Hill, research agencies, academic scientists, the public, and Physicians Committee membership.
  • Manage research policy outreach activities (e.g., conferences, briefings, workshops, and symposia) and help the Research and Regulatory Affairs department with logistics and organization.
  • Conduct research, prepare policy materials, and create and update resources advocating an increase in the use of nonanimal methods in research.
  • Support Physicians Committee scientists and lobbyists with their programs to replace animal use in research.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Required Physical Abilities: Office work plus the ability to travel within the Washington, DC area to events.

Work Location: This position can be performed remotely from a location within the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The Physicians Committee headquarters is in Washington, D.C. (Friendship Heights on Metro's Red Line).

Required Travel: The position will involve frequent visits to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Travel outside the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is estimated to be about two times per year.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time exempt position (40+ hours per week). The Physicians Committee’s core business hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, ET.

Position Level: Coordinator

Salary: A salary offer will take into consideration education, experience, and skills along with internal and external reference points. Candidates are encouraged to discuss salary with a position’s hiring manager early in the interview process to ensure alignment.

• • Minimum: $78,000
  • Maximum: $82,000

Reports To:

• • Supervisor: Director of Research Policy
  • Department Director: Director of Research Policy

Qualifications

Education:

• • Required: None
  • Preferred: Bachelor’s degree

Work Experience:

• • Required: A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience, including a minimum of five years’ experience with federal lobbying.
  • Preferred: A minimum of nine years of relevant work experience, including a minimum of seven years’ experience with federal lobbying.

Additional Qualities:

• • Required: Knowledge of federal lobbying processes and activities.
  • Preferred:
  • A strong record of success with congressional advocacy.
  • Strong relationships with the staff members of congressional offices.

If you do not meet these minimum qualifications but believe that you can perform the position’s essential functions, we invite you to apply. Similarly, if your qualifications exceed the above profile, we invite you to apply.

How to Apply

Application Materials: We require a formal cover letter and resume to apply. In your cover letter, please tell us about your interest in our mission, your related experience and accomplishments, and your professional goals. You may also be asked to respond in writing to screening questions.

Application Deadline: Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.

Application Link: Click here to apply online. 

Application Process:

• • Step 1: 30-minute video interview with our Director of Research Policy.
  • Step 2: 30-minute video interview with our Regulatory Policy Lead.
  • Step 3: Half-day remote working interview to include a two-hour sample project.
  • Step 4: 1.5 hour video meeting with Research and Regulatory Affairs team members.
  • Step 5: 15-minute video interview with Physicians Committee President Dr. Neal Barnard.
  • Step 6: Reference checks with three most recent direct supervisors.

For More Information: Contact the Physicians Committee’s human resources department at careers@pcrm.org