Researcher in Biological Sciences

Volunteer Animal Ethics Committee Member - Wildlife - Monash University

Job no.: 652772

Department/Unit: Office of Research Ethics and Integrity

Classification: Volunteer

Location: Clayton campus

Time Commitment: 10 meetings per year; 3-5 hours per meeting, plus additional time for pre-reading

About Us

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.

The Office of Research Ethics and Integrity (OREI) promotes research excellence and facilitates the University’s research objectives by developing and administering governance and compliance frameworks in the areas of ethics, integrity, gene technology, biosecurity and export controls.

The Animal Ethics team within OREI is responsible for supporting research and teaching activities involving animals. All research and teaching activities that involve the use of animals are governed by a strict regulatory framework and ethical review processes. Monash University insists upon the highest standards for the care and use of animals in research and teaching, and is committed to ensuring the ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals for scientific purposes. 

About the Role

The primary responsibility of an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is to ensure, on behalf of the institution for which it acts, that all activities relating to the care and use of animals for scientific purposes are conducted in compliance with the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (8th edition 2013 (updated 2021) (the Code)).

AEC members therefore play an important role in ensuring the ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals used for research and teaching across a variety of endeavours including biomedical research, pharmaceutical research, and wildlife and conservation studies, and involving a variety of species.

The AEC is comprised of members across various categories and includes veterinarians (Category A), scientists (Category B), animal welfarists (Category C), and lay members (Category D).

We are currently recruiting a volunteer wildlife animal welfare member for the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) AEC. This Committee predominantly reviews applications involving wildlife or conservation research. Due to the nature of wildlife research, the SBS AEC reviews applications that cover a diverse range of species including, but not limited to, small fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds. The majority of applications include a field-based component which can span across Australia, offshore non-jurisdiction islands, and various international regions. Expressions of interest are sought as stipulated in the Code:

• Category C (Animal Welfare): A person with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals, who is not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution, and who is not currently involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Veterinarians with specific animal welfare interest and experience may meet the requirements of this category. While not representing an animal welfare organisation, the person should, where possible, be selected on the basis of active membership of, and endorsement by, such an organisation.

About You

This is a great opportunity to contribute your knowledge and expertise to the world of research at Monash University.

To be successfully considered for this opportunity, you will:

• Category C: 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 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, as well as computer skills
• Be able to read, interpret and comment on meeting materials, including project applications
• 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

Benefits

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

How to Apply

If this sounds like a role you would be interested in, please apply via the link below:

www.monash.edu/researchoffice/ethics/joining-an-ethics-committee

For further information

Please contact the Monash Animal Ethics Office: animal.ethics@monash.edu, or 9905 5121

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