Working at Rethink Priorities
If you’re looking for somewhere you can learn quickly, make a meaningful impact in a fast-growing research organization, and build your career, you’re in the right place.
Current Opportunities
If there isn’t a role available that aligns with your interests and expertise, we still want to hear from you. At a minimum, we'll keep your information on file, and let you know about future roles you might be a good fit for.
Rethink Priorities provides operational support for several projects working in other areas adjacent to our research. Currently, the following opportunities are available on those teams.
Incubated and Sponsored Jobs
If there isn’t a role available that aligns with your interests and expertise, we still want to hear from you. At a minimum, we'll keep your information on file, and let you know about future roles you might be a good fit for.
Rethink Priorities is a nonprofit think tank that conducts research to aid decision-makers and foundations in improving the world effectively.
We work in four major cause areas: animal welfare, global health and development, longtermism, and survey research.
Our community of colleagues is passionate about our mission to develop high-quality, impactful, and actionable research. If you join our team, your work will be used directly by foundations and organizations to increase their impact.
Although we are incorporated in the US, our fully remote staff is currently based in 15 countries. This structure allows us to bring together the best talent from around the globe. We pride ourselves on our open, respectful, and friendly culture, and care deeply about equity. Our most recent anonymous staff survey indicates that employees strongly feel that their projects are important, their ideas are seriously considered, and they enjoy working at RP.
Our types of roles include:
Our types of roles include:
- Researchers interested in conducting desk research to advise policymakers, foundations, and charitable organizations on their strategies
- Operations staff interested in joining a nimble and growing organization
- Entrepreneurs interested in founding new initiatives within the longtermism space
“Flexible working hours allow me to find a balance between work and personal life. It makes me more productive because I manage my time and work when I feel freshest, accomplish most, and enjoy working more. Along with unlimited PTO, I can rest when needed and have time for myself, my family, and friends.”Daniela R. Waldhorn, Director of Animal Welfare
Benefits
We work hard, but we also know you have a family, friends, hobbies, and a life outside the office. That’s why we offer a great benefits package, not just a competitive salary.
Unlimited time off
Everyone needs a healthy, happy, and productive life. We don't limit time off for vacation or personal leave. In fact, employees have a minimum of 30 days off annually.
Flexible, remote working
We want you to work when and where you're most productive, whether you’re an early bird or a night owl.
Competitive health benefits
While the details vary country-to-country, we offer comprehensive health coverage through insurance, and stipends to cover out-of-pocket costs.
10% time for projects you think are important
We encourage every staff member to spend 10% of their time working on projects they think are important, from outside research to professional development. Learning opportunities may include informal reading or more formal courses.
Funding for equipment
We cover the costs of the equipment you need to do your work—from computers to desks to monitors.
Parental leave
We offer up to 6-9 months of a combination of paid and unpaid parental leave that can be taken prior and/or during the first 2 years after a child’s birth or adoption.
“Having 10% of time dedicated to professional and personal development is a great advantage. I have been utilizing this time not only to strengthen skills relevant to my job responsibilities, but also to stay up-to-date with the relevant latest news and developments, build and maintain professional relationships, and expand my general knowledge base. This is a great comprehensive way to develop a strong skillset.”Dominika Krupocin, People and Culture Manager
Frequently asked questions
How long does the overall hiring process take?
Usually, our applications stay open for about three weeks. After the application closing date, the hiring process usually takes around six weeks. The steps in this process depend on the specific position, but typically include the initial application form, interviews, and (paid) assessment tasks. Please view each job description for a more detailed step-by-step guide to our application procedures.
Usually, our applications stay open for about three weeks. After the application closing date, the hiring process usually takes around six weeks. The steps in this process depend on the specific position, but typically include the initial application form, interviews, and (paid) assessment tasks. Please view each job description for a more detailed step-by-step guide to our application procedures.
How long does it take to hear back from you between stages?
We aim to never take more than two weeks before you hear an update from us.
The role I'm interested in lets me choose my title. What title should I apply for?
The role I'm interested in lets me choose my title. What title should I apply for?
Many of our research positions let you choose what job title to apply for. For new staff, our titles are set based on past experience. You should apply for a title that fits your experience level, or fits your desired level of oversight and independence. See Titles at Rethink Priorities for more information.
How do you determine the salary for job offers?
How do you determine the salary for job offers?
We have a transparent algorithm that we use to set salaries for all staff. The formula uses title level and experience to determine the final amount that is offered. This also means that we do not negotiate salaries with any of our staff or applicants. If you’d like to know more about our compensation policy, see Titles at Rethink Priorities.
How do internal applications work?
We sometimes receive job applications from current Rethink Priorities employees, and positions can go to internal candidates. Internal candidates are required to go through the hiring process, and their applications are evaluated blindly along with everyone else. We ask internal candidates not to share they have applied with anyone except for the People and Culture Team coordinating the hiring round to ensure all necessary measures can be taken to provide internal and external applicants an equally fair chance.
How do internal applications work?
We sometimes receive job applications from current Rethink Priorities employees, and positions can go to internal candidates. Internal candidates are required to go through the hiring process, and their applications are evaluated blindly along with everyone else. We ask internal candidates not to share they have applied with anyone except for the People and Culture Team coordinating the hiring round to ensure all necessary measures can be taken to provide internal and external applicants an equally fair chance.
Will you provide feedback on my application?
We usually receive a large number of highly qualified applicants, and we can only advance a few people after each round due to time and budget constraints. Unfortunately, we’re typically not able to provide individual feedback for applicants who are rejected. For some roles, we do provide feedback upon request for individuals who make it to the final stage of the hiring process. The most common reason a candidate is not selected is simply that we have highly specific needs, and their experience might not have been the best fit for those needs (regardless of their professional competence). Roles at Rethink Priorities are competitive, even for highly qualified candidates. If you are not selected to move forward on your application, please do not consider it as a judgment on your ability to do high-impact research or perform well in similar roles. We encourage you to continue applying to other positions that are suited to your expertise and we would certainly be happy to see an application from you for future openings at RP.
Can I be considered for a role from anywhere in the world?
Can I be considered for a role from anywhere in the world?
In most places, if you have local work authorization, we will consider your application. However, we typically prefer candidates located in American, European, or African time zones, since most of our team is based in these regions. While we welcome candidates from outside of these time zones, we often have meetings during working hours in these time zones that employees are expected to attend.
Do you have any guidelines you require applicants to follow?
Our application forms request all the information we need from you to evaluate you for a position. Unless an application form explicitly requests it, please do not include a cover letter, photograph or headshot of yourself, or any personal information that is not relevant to the role you’re applying for (including marital status, age, and identity traits). Additionally, please do not ask staff members involved in hiring to meet — to ensure fairness, we try to minimize these interactions, and requests for meetings with hiring committee members during the selection process will be declined.
How can I learn about future openings?
Please check our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest information on career opportunities.
“I had a great time at Rethink Priorities, and I regularly feel like I am using skills picked up from over the summer in my day job, so RP has been super helpful for that! I want to give a particular shoutout to [my manager] for helping me over the summer, both with my improving research skills and my personal/professional development.”Tom Barnes, 2021 Research Fellow