UTS Human Research Ethics Committee Member

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is seeking expressions of interest for several categories of membership to serve on its Human Research Ethics Committees (UTS HRECs). The role of the HRECs is to review research proposals involving human participants and determine whether it meets the National Statement for Ethical Conduct of Human Research requirements.

Expressions of interests are open for the following membership categories:

• Lay people have no affiliation with UTS and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work. 
• Professional care people with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counselling or treatment of people (for example, a nurse or allied health professional, etc.). 
• People who perform a pastoral care role in the community (for example, an Aboriginal Elder, a Minister of Religion, Pastoral Care Worker, School Chaplain, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Religious Education Teacher, etc.).

We have a number of membership options available, including full time members (attendance of 11 meetings per year) or ancillary membership (attendance every couple of months, depending on need and availability). We are seeking ancillary lay members and an ancillary professional care member. We are also seeking two full time members involved in pastoral care.

What the role involves:

• Each member of the HREC is responsible for deciding whether, in their judgement, a proposal submitted to the HREC meets the requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and is ethically acceptable.
• The committees each review approximately 10 applications per month, every month except January. Of those applications, each member is assigned as a lead reviewer and/or secondary reviewer for about 1-2 applications which involves an in-depth review.
• Each member receives an email which includes a link to the agenda, minutes from previous month’s meeting and the applications for review. Members are expected to complete all pre-reading and provide written feedback to the secretariat for collation before the meeting.
• The expected time commitment is approximately one day per month as required. This includes attendance at meetings and review of applications using the online system. Some months may not involve assignment to applications for members who are part of the ancillary member pool for the HRECs.
• The committees generally meet on either the second Tuesday of the month (HREC) or the second Thursday of the month (MREC). Meetings start at 9:30 am and generally conclude at 12:30 pm.
• Meetings are generally held via videoconferencing on Zoom, and occasionally in person on campus (with advance notice). Meetings which are held in-person are catered, and travel and parking is reimbursed for Sydney-based members.
• Members are appointed for an initial term of one year and can be renewed for a further two years to complete a single three-year term. Appointments are made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research).

• Members receive induction, training and ongoing professional development.
• Proposals to share the role with another person will also be considered.
• Members (external to UTS) are paid a monthly stipend for each meeting attended.