Animal Ethics Committee Member: Category A - Veterinarian
About The Position
Monash University is seeking expressions of interest from veterinarians to serve on an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). This role involves reviewing research activities that are instrumental in improving patient treatments and health outcomes through biomedical research programs. The AEC assesses the scientific, ethical, and welfare aspects of research and teaching activities involving animals to ensure the use of animals is justified, has scientific merit, and animal welfare is prioritized, in accordance with the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. The Category A member must have qualifications in veterinary science recognized for registration in Australia and experience relevant to the research and teaching activities of Monash University, or the ability to acquire such knowledge.
Requirements
- Qualification in veterinary science recognized for registration as a veterinary surgeon in Australia.
- Specialised knowledge of the general welfare, treatment, and advances in care for animal species specific to the AEC.
- Experience relevant to the research and teaching activities of Monash University, or the ability to acquire relevant knowledge.
- Ability to provide information on housing needs, drugs, procedures, and post-procedure care.
- Ability to provide advice that reflects current best practice.
- 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.
- Be able to attend meetings in-person.
- Overseas applicants will not be considered.
Responsibilities
- Review research activities that will be instrumental in improving patient treatments and health outcomes through biomedical research programs.
- Assess the scientific, ethical, and welfare aspects of research and teaching activities involving animals.
- Ensure the use of animals is justified and has scientific merit.
- Prioritize animal welfare in accordance with the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.
- Provide information on housing needs, drugs, procedures, and post-procedure care for animal species specific to the AEC.
- Provide advice that reflects current best practice in animal care.
- Contribute to AEC meetings and related processes.
- Undertake initial and ongoing training and education.
- 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.
Benefits
- An Honorarium to support costs associated with performing the role and attending meetings.
- Catered lunch at in-person meetings.
- Training support for the role as an AEC member.
- The opportunity to understand 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.
