Overview:

Community Representatives to join RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee

• Volunteer position
• Online meetings (Compensated )

Are you interested in facilitating ethical and responsible research that help shapes our world for the better? RMIT University is seeking community members to join its Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

About the Role

The HREC is responsible for reviewing and monitoring research involving human participants to ensure it is conducted ethically and in accordance with related standards and regulations. As a committee member, you will play an important role in supporting ethical research while representing community perspectives.

What we offer

Volunteer position, with comprehensive induction and ongoing training , friendly, professional and supportive committee environment and hybrid participation (online and in-person).

A modest payment (honoraria) provided to external committee members in recognition of the time and effort involved in reviewing applications and attending committee meetings.

We are seeking applicants in the following categories:

• Community members who bring a broad community or consumer perspective and must have no paid affiliation with RMIT University
• Pastoral carers in the community (e.g. minister of religion, chaplain, Aboriginal Elder, or similar)
• People experienced in professional care or treatment (e.g. nurse, counsellor, social worker, allied health professional, or similar)

Committee members are expected to review research applications involving human participants, attend and actively participate in committee meetings and complete pre-meeting and post-meeting reading and preparation.

Committee Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of most months between 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. To be eligible, you must be available to attend scheduled committee meetings and willing to undertake required reading and preparation and not be a current employee (or associated with) RMIT University.

To Apply

Please submit a brief cover letter and résumé outlining your background, why you are interested in joining the committee and in which membership capacity.

For further information, please contact: Dr Peter Burke, HREC Secretary. Email: [email protected]

Please note:  Due to the critical nature of the role, we are running a rolling recruitment process and will be contacting candidates as soon as they apply, with early applications encouraged.

Applications Close:

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. 

In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.  All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.  Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.

At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via [email protected] or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.

We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.