Federation University is seeking EoIs to join the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). In particular, we are seeking additional members in the following membership categories:

• Professional Care – a person with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care or treatment of people; for example, a nurse, counsellor or allied health professional;
• Pastoral Care – a person who performs 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;
• Lawyer – a qualified lawyer, who may or may not be currently practicing.

Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) members review research proposals involving human data from all disciplines in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023 (‘National Statement’). The Committee promotes ethically good research, identifies ethical issues in research project design, reviews research conduct, and deliberates ethical issues related to human research.

Members of the Federation University Ethics Committees are required to:

• Become familiar with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (the ‘National Statement’) and other relevant guidelines and regulations;
• Attend relevant/required training;
• Review applications and make recommendations regarding the ethical acceptability of projects being undertaken by Federation University staff and students;
• Ensure that any comments submitted about a project are relevant to relevant guidelines; and
• Maintain confidentiality of the committee’s proceedings.

Benefits include continued professional development. Though Committee members are volunteers, an honorarium to cover expenses is provided. The Committee is also supported by a team of professional staff who are available to answer both researcher and Committee member queries.

Other points to note:

• Induction training is provided to all new members prior to their commencement on the Committee.
• Human Research Ethics Committee meetings are held online, monthly on Wednesday evenings.
• All members are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement upon appointment.
• Committee members are appointed for a renewable term of two years.

Further information about the Federation University Human Research Ethics Committee is available at federation.edu.au/research/internal/ethics/human-ethics.

If you would like further information about this position, or to submit an expression of interest, please contact the Manager, Research Ethics, via email at [email protected], using the subject line: Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Members (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.