Volunteer Welfare Animal Ethics Committee Member - Monash University

Monash • Clayton, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Monash University is seeking a volunteer Animal Welfare representative (Category C) to serve on an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). The committee reviews the scientific, ethical, and welfare aspects of research and teaching involving animals, ensuring that animal use is justified, scientifically meritorious, and conducted with animal welfare prioritised under the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

The AEC member will contribute to reviews of research activities in biomedical research, including programs concerning cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological and metabolic diseases, and reproductive health. The role involves participating in committee discussions and related processes, reviewing meeting materials through an online system, and undertaking initial and ongoing training. The member must be able to attend meetings in person and must not be employed by or otherwise associated with Monash University or currently involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

This is a volunteer role with an honorarium to help cover costs associated with performing the role and attending meetings. Members also receive catered lunches at in-person meetings, training support, access to Monash University library resources, and opportunities to learn about research at the University and the legislative framework governing animal use in research and teaching.

Requirements

• Demonstrable commitment to and established experience in furthering animal welfare.
• Good knowledge of the general context of animal welfare and a general understanding of how society considers it acceptable to treat animals.
• Accept that ethical experiments on animals can be carried out when there is no viable alternative.
• Ability and enthusiasm to contribute to AEC meetings and related processes.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read, interpret, and comment on meeting materials, including project applications, using an online system.
• Ability to attend meetings in person; overseas applicants will not be considered.
• Must not be employed by or otherwise associated with Monash University.
• Must not currently be involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

Nice To Haves

• Membership of, and endorsement by, an animal welfare organisation is highly favourable.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the ethical, humane, and responsible care and use of animals in Monash University research and teaching.
• Review the scientific, ethical, and animal welfare aspects of research and teaching activities involving animals.
• Read, interpret, and comment on meeting materials, including project applications, using an online system.
• Participate in AEC discussions to support robust review of projects and related activities and the effective operation of the Committee.
• Attend meetings in person.
• Undertake initial and ongoing training and education related to the AEC role.

Benefits

• Honorarium to support costs associated with performing the role and attending meetings
• Catered lunch at in-person meetings
• Training support for the AEC member role
• Opportunity to understand cutting-edge science activities at Monash University
• Development of knowledge related to the legislative framework governing animal use in research and teaching
• Access to Monash University library resources

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed