Are you interested in research? Have you ever wondered how research bodies ensure that the animals used in research are cared for and the processes they have in place to ensure they have healthy and happy? Then this may be a role that interests you.
The Kids Research Institute Australia Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is responsible for ensuring that the use of animals at The Kids complies with the Animal Welfare Act (2002) and the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, 8th Edition 2013 (updated 2021) (Code). Its role is to ensure that the scientific use of animals is justified, provides for the welfare of those animals, and incorporates the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.
The Kids Research Institute Australia is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from a suitable Category D person for AEC membership. The person must have an appointment external to The Kids Research Institute Australia, and preferably based in Perth.
The Category D member is defined as:
Category D — a person not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution and who has never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education. Category D members should be viewed by the wider community as bringing a completely independent view to the AEC, and must not fit the requirements of any other category.
The AEC meets monthly (except for January) on a Monday, from 9.00am to 12.00pm, on-site at The Kids Research Institute Australia’s QEII location or online via Microsoft Teams. They consider new and amended proposals to use laboratory animals (mice and rats) for research. Applicants must be willing to contribute their perspective on Animal Ethics applications at AEC meetings and related processes, and to undertake initial and ongoing training.
Applicants must possess good interpersonal and computer literacy skills, and the capacity to review large documents within a short timeframe. Committee members are required to attend site inspections of the Institute’s animal facilities. AEC members are remunerated with honorarium payments, to recognise their valued input to the AEC, and parking vouchers for the use of QEII parking facilities.
Do not hesitate to contact the Animal Ethics Office via email at aeo@thekids.org.au should you have any questions regarding the position or if you would like a copy of the AEC Terms of Reference.