Lay member of the Research Ethics Committee

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Research and Innovation (Central)
Location:  Egham
Post Type:  Part Time
Closing Date:  23.59 hours GMT on Thursday 15 February 2024
Reference:  0124-024

Voluntary, Casual

Applications are invited for the post of Lay member of the Royal Holloway University of London Research Ethics Committee

The purpose of the RHUL Ethics Committee (REC) is to oversee all research ethics matters concerning research conducted by the Institution’s staff and students which involves human participants and their data.

Research ethics is concerned with addressing and reflecting upon the ways in which research engages with and has implications for human and non-human subjects. This includes the interactions of research with research participants, , with data relating to humans, with the long-term impact of the research on humans through environment and culture, and it also includes the consequences of research for researchers themselves.  

Excellence in research underpins all Royal Holloway’s activities and aspirations.  We aspire to produce world-leading research that substantially advances the knowledge base, and that fosters transformational impacts for individuals, society, and the environment. At RHUL the research ethics review puts in place protocols for acting upon its commitment to undertaking research to the highest level of integrity and ethical responsibility as well as ensuring research complies with certain legal and safeguarding obligations.  

The REC is a multi-disciplinary committee, which includes the chair, academic members from each school, other professional members from the University and lay members. As a lay member you will be an important member of the committee, you may see research implications from a different perspective and bring additional expertise. We would particularly be interested in lay members with experience from an educational, legal, medical, scientific, mental health, social work, safeguarding, counselling, or audit/risk management background. Lay members will need to be confident communicators who are able to understand the complex research issues, respect different viewpoints and want to make a difference. 

The REC currently meets four times a year and you could attend in person or remotely via a MS Teams meeting. In addition, you would review ethics submissions, submissions for audit and other papers that are circulated for committee consideration.  

In return the benefits of this role include:

• Learning about new areas of research
• Developing your knowledge and understanding of research ethics
• Working collaboratively with people from a range of disciplines/backgrounds
• Gaining experience of a formal University committee

The position is voluntary, but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed if you attend meetings in person. The meetings take place on the RHUL campus in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London. 

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: [email protected]  

Please quote the reference: 0124-024

Closing Date:   23:59, 15 February 2024

Interview Date: To be Confirmed 

Please note that it will not be possible for the University to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for successful candidates as this role does not fall into one of the standard occupational codes deemed eligible for sponsorship by UK Visas and Immigration. Successful candidates will therefore need to be eligible to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with the University, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. 

The university has adopted hybrid working for some roles therefore some remote working may be possible for this role.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page .