Volunteer Lay Animal Ethics Committee Members - Monash University

Monash • Clayton, NC

21h • Onsite

About The Position

Monash University is seeking expressions of interest for Volunteer Lay Animal Ethics Committee Members (Category D). This role is crucial in ensuring the ethical, humane, and responsible care and use of animals in research and teaching activities at the university. The Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) assess the scientific, ethical, and welfare aspects of these activities, ensuring that animal use is justified, has scientific merit, and prioritizes animal welfare, in accordance with the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Category D members are individuals not employed by or associated with the institution, who have never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities. They bring an independent view to the AEC and must not fit the requirements of any other category. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in areas such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, and more, ultimately aiming to improve patient treatments and health outcomes.

Requirements

• Not employed by or have any affiliation with Monash University.
• Have never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities in your employment or beyond undergraduate education.
• 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.
• Overseas applicants will not be considered.

Responsibilities

• Review research activities that will be instrumental in improving patient treatments and health outcomes.
• 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.
• 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 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

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees