• Job no.: 651811
• Department/Unit: Office of Research Ethics and Integrity
• Classification: Volunteer
• Location: Clayton campus
• Time Commitment: Up to 12 meetings per year; 3-5 hours per meeting, plus additional time for pre-reading

Monash University is expanding its research support services in the area of Animal Ethics to further support research activities in biology, medicine and science, in areas such as disease development and treatment, novel drug treatments, and vaccine development.

These currently advertised positions will fulfil roles on a newly constituted Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) at Monash, and will review research activities that will be instrumental in improving patient treatments and health outcomes through our biomedical research programs.

This is a great opportunity to contribute your knowledge and expertise to the world of research at Monash University.

About Monash Animal Ethics Committees (AECs)

Monash University is committed to ensuring the ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals for scientific purposes and insists upon the highest standards for animal care and use.

Our Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) assess the scientific, ethical and welfare aspects of research and teaching activities involving animals to ensure the use of animals is justified and has scientific merit and animal welfare is prioritised, in accordance with the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (8th edition 2013 (updated 2021) (the Code)).

The AEC is comprised of members across various categories as stipulated in the Code and includes veterinarians (Category A), scientists (Category B), animal welfarists (Category C), and lay members (Category D), with each category of membership bringing valuable perspectives to the review process.

About the role

Each Monash University AEC member plays an important role in ensuring the ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals used for research and teaching at Monash University.

We are currently recruiting volunteer AEC members for a new AEC, and expressions of interest are sought for the following Categories as stipulated in the Code:

• Category A (Veterinarian): The Category A member must be a person with qualifications in veterinary science that are recognised for registration as a veterinary surgeon in Australia. You must have experience relevant to the research and teaching activities of Monash University, or the ability to acquire relevant knowledge
• Category C (Animal Welfare): The Category C member must be a person with a demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals. You must not be employed by or otherwise associated with Monash University, and must not currently be involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Membership of, and endorsement by, an animal welfare organisation is highly favourable

Please note, being an animal lover is insufficient to qualify for this category of membership without also having demonstrated evidence of contributions to animal welfare.

About You

To be successfully considered for this opportunity, you will:

• Category A: have a qualification in veterinary science, as well as specialised knowledge of the general welfare, treatment, and advances in care for animal species specific to the AEC. You will be able to provide information on housing needs, drugs, procedures and post-procedure care, and will be able to provide advice that reflects current best practice
• Category C: have established experience in furthering the welfare of animals, as well as a good knowledge of the general context of animal welfare and a general understanding of the ways in which society considers it acceptable to treat animals
• Accept that ethical experiments on animals can be carried out, provided there is no viable alternative
• Demonstrate the ability and enthusiasm to contribute to AEC meetings and related processes, and undertake initial and ongoing training and education
• Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Be able to read, interpret and comment on meeting materials, including project applications, using an online system
• Participate in AEC discussions to ensure robust review of projects and related activities, and effective operation of the Committee
• Be able to attend meetings in-person (please note, overseas applicants will not be considered)

Benefits

As a member of a Monash AEC you will receive the following benefits:

• An Honorarium to support costs you incur associated with performing your role and attending meetings
• A working lunch at in-person meetings
• Training support for your role as an AEC member
• The opportunity to understand the cutting-edge science activities being performed at Monash
• Development of knowledge related to the legislative framework governing animal use in research and teaching
• Access to the resources of the Monash University libraries

How to Apply

If this sounds like a role you would be interested in, please submit an Expression of Interest form, available via the Apply Now link.

For further information please contact the Monash Animal Ethics Office: [email protected], using the subject line: Volunteer Animal Ethics Committee Members - Category A / C enquiry via EthicalJobs.