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Volunteer Animal Ethics Committee Member - Monash University Department/Unit: Office of Research Ethics and Integrity

Classification: Volunteer

Location: Clayton Campus

Time Commitment: 12 meetings per year; 3-5 hours per meeting, plus additional time for pre-reading

Contact: animal.ethics@monash.edu

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 volunteer AEC members, and expressions of interest are sought for the following Categories as stipulated in the Code:

Category A (Veterinarian): A person with qualifications in veterinary science that are recognised for registration as a veterinary surgeon in Australia, and with experience relevant to the institution’s activities or the ability to acquire relevant knowledge.

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 A: have specialised knowledge of the general welfare, treatment, and advances in care for animal species specific to the AEC. They will be able to provide information on housing needs, drugs, procedures and post-procedure care, and will be able to provide advice that reflects current best practice

Category C: have 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

Enquiries

For further information please contact the Monash Animal Ethics Office: animal.ethics@monash.edu or +61 3 9905 5121.