Expressions of Interest: Animal Ethics Committee - Category A Member - Veterinary Surgeon

Seeking expressions of interest for a Category A member - an experienced or knowledgeable veterinary surgeon - to join the Animal Ethics Committee, overseeing ethical animal use in research and teaching.

La Trobe University is seeking expressions of interest for a Category A member - an experienced or knowledgeable veterinary surgeon - to join its Animal Ethics Committee, which oversees the ethical use of animals in research and teaching in compliance with national codes and legislation. This role involves reviewing research proposals, attending monthly meetings, participating in facility inspections, and ensuring animal welfare is prioritised, with appropriate training, support, and reimbursement provided.

The Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 requires that institutions conducting research and teaching using animals comply with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (8th edition, 2013). The Latrobe University Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) oversees the University's care and use of animals for scientific purposes to safeguard the welfare of animals used for scientific purpose, to minimize harm or unjust use of animals, and to ensure the use of animals has scientific or educational merit.

An AEC must comprise of at least one person from each of four categories of membership:

• Category A - 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 B - a suitably qualified person with substantial and recent experience in the use of animals for scientific purposes relevant to the institution and the business of the AEC.
• Category C - 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.
• 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.

We are seeking expressions of interest for at least one Category A member for the La Trobe University Animal Ethics Committee.

To be considered for this role you must:

• Have qualifications in veterinary science that are recognised for registration as a veterinary surgeon in Australia;
• Experience relevant to the institution’s activities (e.g. handing and sampling techniques, welfare checks, surgery for small and large animals, wildlife, reptiles and rodents) or the ability to acquire relevant knowledge;
• Have the ability to interpret legislation and policy.

In this position you will be required to:

• Attend 11 scheduled AEC meetings in the calendar year and complete out-of-session reviews as required.
• Review applications and make recommendations regarding the ethical acceptability of projects being undertaken by La Trobe University staff and students.
• Ensure that any comments submitted about a project are relevant to The Code and to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Regulations.
• Participate in annual inspections of AEC approved facilities, including regional campuses.
• Maintain confidentiality of the committee’s proceedings. All members are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement prior to commencement of duties for the committee.

Other points to note:

• Induction training is provided to all new members prior to their commencement on the Committee. 
• Meetings are held monthly on Thursday (9:30 am to 2.30pm), at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus.
• Under section 2.2.19 of the Australian Code you will receive an appropriate reimbursement for personal expenses incurred in carrying out AEC activities and/or payment of an allowance.
• All members are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement prior to commencement of duties for the committee.
• Attendance at relevant training conferences and seminars is encouraged and supported
• Lunch is provided during meetings

Further information about animal ethics committees is available at the Animal Welfare Victoria website.