Volunteer Animal Ethics Committee Member Category C

Job no:673996

Department/Unit:Office of Research Ethics and Integrity

Location: Clayton campus

Time Commitment: Up to 12 meetings per year; 3-5 hours per meeting, plus additional time for pre-reading

Monash University has a national and international reputation for exciting, ground-breaking research that improves health, solves global challenges and empowers whole communities, and we continually increase our capacity to do outstanding, relevant research and generate new knowledge that positively impacts the world.

Monash University's research support services in Animal Ethics support research activities in biomedical research, pharmaceutical sciences, and ecology and conservation studies. This currently advertised position will fulfil a role on an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) that will review research activities that will be instrumental in improving patient treatments and health outcomes through our biomedical research programs, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, and reproductive health.

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.

Expressions of interest are sought from Animal Welfarists, as per the criteria as stipulated in the Code:

• 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:

• 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 using 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)

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

Applications Close:Saturday 15 February 2025, 11:55pm AEDT

Monash University recognises that its Australian campuses are located on the unceded lands of the people of the Kulin nations, and pays its respects to their elders, past and present.