Community Member Human Research Ethics Committee Member

Who We Are

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) provides world-leading independent forensic medical and scientific expertise to the justice system, tissue for transplantation, and conducts teaching and research in forensic medicine and science.

We provide the justice system with the crucial evidence that underpins safe convictions and appropriate acquittals. Our doctors and scientists investigate deaths reported to the coroner, examine alleged offenders and medically assess and support victims of crime.

The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria supports patients and their families by providing safe tissues to medical specialists and Victorian hospitals for transplantation and medical research, benefitting many patients every year.

Our medical and scientific staff members undertake research that benefits public health and safety, and the functioning of our legal system.

The Institute is based in Southbank in Melbourne's CBD, just a short 10-minute walk from Flinders Street railway station. We offer fulfilling careers and have a diverse range of roles - including forensic pathology, clinical forensic medicine, forensic scientists, nursing, medico-legal case work, technicians, and corporate support services.

About the Role

We are seeking expressions of interest from the Victorian community to join the VIFM Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) to contribute to ethical decision-making and continuous improvement within our organisation.

The role of the VIFM HREC is to ensure that research proposals are designed in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2025 (National Statement) values of:

• Respect for human beings
• Research merit and integrity
• Justice
• Beneficence

As a member of the VIFM HREC, you will contribute a community perspective to discussions and decisions about ethical issues, assess risks, and promote good research practices. Your insights will help ensure that community values and the rights of people are respected in our ethical review processes. You will provide balanced input from a community and non-medical perspective and be a community-minded individual without a medical or scientific background with sound judgment.

The VIFM HREC meets in person up to six times a year to review research proposals and check that they meet national ethical standards. You will read and comment on information, take part in discussions, and help guide fair and responsible decisions.

The role will be for one year, with an option to continue, and involves reviewing about five to six applications at each meeting.

Key Responsibilities

The functions and responsibilities of the VIFM HREC are to:

• Use an online research governance system (Ethical Review Manager) to review research proposals involving human participants (data, human tissue or live participants) to ensure that they are ethically acceptable in reference to the requirements of NHMRC National Statement 2025.
• Recommend appropriate action regarding unexpected adverse events or non-compliances relating to an approved project.
• Provide advice and recommendations to the VIFM on ethical issues referred to the VIFM HREC by the CEO of the VIFM.
• Undertake ongoing training on the requirements of the NHRMC National Statement and related topics.
• Participate in induction training, presentations and education sessions to learn about VIFM's operations.
• Exercise independent judgement and be objective in its deliberations, decisions and advice.
• Ensure best practice for obtaining informed and valid consent by research participants or next of kin.

About You

You are someone who values integrity, fairness and making a meaningful impact. You have the confidence to speak up in meetings, ask questions that challenge assumptions, and engage in productive discussions. With your previous or current experience on a committee, you are not easily intimated and can navigate technical information with curiosity and critical thinking. You enjoy working with others, bringing a collaborative spirit to ethical decision-making. You also understand the importance of assessing risk and applying ethical frameworks to real-world scenarios.

Responsibilities of members

To contribute effectively to the Committee, members are required to:

• be familiar with the NHMRC National Statement 2025 and other guidelines relevant to the review of specific research proposals
• be able to determine whether a given research proposal meets the requirements of the National Statement, understand the relevant risks and benefits of research proposals and be able to assess how well risks are addressed in any proposed mitigation measures
• be able to commit to, prepare for and attend, up to six Committee meetings per year (in person) as well as training sessions (induction and professional development). Extraordinary meetings may be called by the Chair, as required
• declare any potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, in respect of research proposals put before the Committee
• maintain confidentiality of all Committee's proceedings.

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you

Our Recruitment Process

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a national police check.

If you feel comfortable, please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or require an alternative format to any of the application material upon application, so we can make any adjustments required to support you throughout our recruitment process.

If you would like further information about the role, please contact:

Natasha Buckle, Project Human Resources Lead,

Fiona Leahy, Executive Officer, VIFM Ethics Committee,