WEHI Human Research Ethics Committee Member

Job Description

An excellent opportunity is available for HREC Member s to join the G overnance, R isk and C ompliance department at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute .

About the position

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (Institute) is seeking new members for its Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

The role of the HREC is to review research proposals involving human participants and determine whether they meet the requirements of the National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Statement).

The HREC is seeking the following categories of members :

Category B : People who bring a broader community or consumer perspective and who have no paid affiliation with the institution.

Category C : People with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care or treatment of people; for example, a nurse, counsellor or allied health professional.

Category D : People who perform a pastoral care role in a community including, but not limited to, an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander elder or community leader, a chaplain or a minister of religion or other religious leader.

Category E : People who are qualified lawyers, who may or may not be currently practicing and, where possible, are not engaged to advise the institution on research-related or any other matters.

Category F : People with current research experience that is relevant to research proposals to be considered at the meetings they attend.

As a member of the HREC, you are responsible for working with other HREC members to decide whether, according to your judgement, research proposals meet the requirement of the National Statement and are ethically acceptable.

HREC members receive induction, training, and opportunities for professional development. The HREC meets approximately every other month.

HREC meeting information

The core business of each meeting is to review research proposals to ensure they conform to ethical principles and requirements in the National Statement.

Some research proposals are reviewed at scheduled meetings of the full HREC, while other research proposals are reviewed out-of-session via circulation by designated reviewers.

The HREC also discusses emerging ethical issues regarding research and from time to time can make recommendations to the Institute on practices it might adopt to best conform to ethical standards.

The HREC meetings are held roughly every other month beginning February. For 2024, meetings normally run on Thursdays from 4 : 00 6 : 00pm at the WEHI Elizabeth Street campus.

However, options will be available for attending the meeting remotely. Paper s for each meeting are circulated one to two weeks beforehand, and there is an expected commitment of approximately 1-3 hours to read the papers prior to the meeting.

Selection Criteria

A passion for science and ethics.

An ability to listen to and appreciate the views of others, and to formulate and express a considered opinion.

The capacity to understand ethical issues and how these relate to the National Statement, the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research ( Code ) and other relevant ethical guidelines, legislation or policies.

Basic computer literacy , including :

Navigating large pdfs sent as links .

T he capacity to work online and by email.

Joining calls and meetings over MS Teams.

Each candidate interested in applying for this role must be willing and able to :

Become familiar with the National Statement and the WEHI Human Research Ethics Committee Charter.

Reading and reviewing research proposals for out-of-session review or in preparation for review at a scheduled HREC meeting.

Attend scheduled HREC meetings .

Take responsibility for deciding whether, according to their judgement, a research proposal submitted to the HREC for review meets the requirements of the National Statement .

Disclose any conflicts of interest.

Maintain the confidentiality of information received as part of this role.

Terms of appointment

HREC members are appointed for a term of three years with possibility of extending for three further terms. These position s are paid sessional with a stipend paid per meeting attended .