About Walter & Eliza Hall Institute

The Institute is one of Australia’s leading biomedical research organisations, with a strong national and international reputation for performing highly influential basic and translational research. With more than 1,100 staff and students, the Institute is addressing some of the major health challenges of our time, with a focus on cancer, infection, inflammation, immune disorders, development and ageing.

About the position

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (Institute) is seeking expressions of interest for its Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to fulfil the requirement of a Category C member under the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (8th Edition, 2013) (the Code).

As governed by legislation, the AEC is an authorised body formed to ensure that live non-human vertebrates and higher-order invertebrates used for research and training purposes at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (the institute) is conducted at the highest standard of acceptability and that all such undertakings are reviewed and approved by the AEC.

As a member of the AEC you are responsible for deciding whether, according to your judgement, proposals meet the requirement of the Code and are ethically acceptable.

The role involves attendance at ten (10) AEC meetings each year, contribution to out of session executive reviews, participation in inspections of animal facilities and a willingness to participate in continuing education opportunities.

As stipulated under the Code the appointee must meet the requirement of a Category C member.

Selection Criteria

For consideration for this position, the candidate must meet the requirements for a Category C member as stipulated in the Code. That is

Category C—a person with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals, who is not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution, and who is not currently involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Veterinarians with specific animal welfare interest and experience may meet the requirements of this category. While not representing an animal welfare organisation, the person should, where possible, be selected on the basis of active membership of, and endorsement by, such an organisation.

Personal qualities

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to listen to and appreciate the views of others, and to formulate and express a considered opinion
• The capacity to understand important ethical issues and how these relate to the Code, and other relevant legislation or policies and procedures
• Basic computer literacy and the capacity to work online and by email
• Be an active and productive member of the Committee

Knowledge and skills

• Animal welfare requirements for a range of laboratory species
• An understanding of laboratory animal work and research involving animals would be an advantage but is not necessary
• Active membership of, and/or endorsement by, an animal welfare organisation is required

Each candidate interested in applying for this role must be willing and able to

• Become familiar with the Code
• Undertake pre-reading for meetings
• Attend AEC meetings
• Take responsibility for deciding whether, according to their judgement, a proposal submitted to the AEC meets the requirements of the Code and is ethically acceptable.

Terms of appointment

This position is available for 3 years initially. The position is a volunteer position in which eternal Committee members are paid a stipend for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as part of their role as a Committee member.

General enquiries can be directed to Angela Astbury, Animal Ethics Officer and Committee Convener via email [email protected] using the subject line: AEC Category C Member - Welfare enquiry via EthicalJobs. Enquiries can also be made by phoning the Animal Ethics Office on (03) 9345 2652.

A position description is attached.

At the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute we strive to ensure our staff and students enjoy a great working environment. We value diversity and gender equity in our work force and promote flexible working arrangements for staff to balance working requirements and personal needs. We have implemented a number of gender equity initiatives to support female laboratory heads.