Job Description

Overview

The Manager, Research Ethics serves as the primary liaison between the Animal Care Committee (ACC), the Office of Research Ethics (ORE), and the researcher and their research team. The Manager is responsible for the ethical acceptability of animals used in research and teaching projects. This includes scientific and pedagogical merit. The Manager oversees the daily operations of the ACC and will assume a leadership role for ORE activities relating to animal use in research and teaching. The Manager also supports the operations of the Central Animal Facility and satellite facilities to ensure that they comply with internal and external requirements. This role is responsible for managing the ACC ethics review committee, merit review committee, and an advisory committee along with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., researchers, government agencies, accreditation committees/auditors, faculty/departments and other administrative staff) regarding the requirements for, and outcomes of, the ethics and merit review for research and teaching programs using animals. The Manager is required to write reports that track the required information to demonstrate metrics that allow the University of Waterloo to maintain its provincial and national accreditation to use animals in research and teaching.

The Manager will be expected to work from the ORE office on campus as the research ethics team does not work fully remotely, however hybrid working arrangements are possible.

Responsibilities

Research Ethics Leadership, Guidance, and Support

• Point person for all inquiries and questions from faculty, staff, and students regarding research compliance obligations associated with using animals in research or teaching including the requirements and processes involved with obtaining and maintaining ethics clearance
• Be a consultation service for faculty, student and staff researchers regarding the ethics review process associated with using animals in research or teaching and the required ethical obligations according to institutional, national, and provincial requirements and guidelines
• Independently determine the ethical review route based on several factors and criteria of all incoming events (e.g., new applications, annual continuing review, adverse events/incidents, amendments, post approval monitoring, protocol deviations)
• Review all submissions for completeness and compliance with requirements
• Communicate and troubleshoot non-compliant submissions for ethical review
• As the delegated ethical reviewer for the ACC, apply subjective judgement to review and approve animal use protocols, revisions, and amendments to protocols and ensure all animal use protocols meet the required ethical requirements and guidelines before the work may proceed
• Maintain a strong understanding of the literature and the requirements associated with using animals in research or teaching (e.g., CCAC, OMAFRA, OLAW)
• Promptly and effectively respond to all telephone, mail, and email/web inquiries and questions from faculty, staff, students from any of the six faculties, affiliated institutions, or research institutes, including non-Waterloo researchers or partners regarding compliance issues or concerns including the ethics review process and administrative requirements
• Provide interpretations, advice, and assistance about Waterloo\xe2\x80\x99s research ethics process, provincial, federal, and international regulatory guidelines, policies, and other information associated with using animals in research or teaching by relaying it clearly and accurately
• Clarify complex ethical research compliance requirements that interprets and explains these requirements for Waterloo researchers
• Write interpretations of international, federal, provincial, and institutional policies and procedures as it relates to Waterloo\xe2\x80\x99s ethics review process in the form of guidelines and communicate these to researchers, staff, and students
• Oversee the post-approval monitoring program (PAM) in collaboration with the Senior Manager, Animal Research and Teaching Facilities
• Manage the scientific and pedagogical merit process
• Manage the required facility inspections by the ACC, Veterinarian, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) including the maintenance of records, distribution of reports associated with inspections, and follow through on required actions
• Manage the required procedure for effective monitoring of animal purchases and ensures animal purchases do not exceed approved limits
• Produce descriptive statistical reports concerning key operational benchmarks for provincial and national accreditation and regulatory bodies on the use animals in research and teaching
• Synthesize required external reports involving external agencies\xe2\x80\x99 operational audits

Engagement and Relationship-Building

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant bodies and associations (e.g., CCAC, OMAFRA, other ACCs)
• Work with the other Research Ethics Managers to support researchers, initiate discussions with researchers to provide training and networking, identify skill or knowledge gaps and improve competencies
• Manage site visits from external provincial or federal audit/compliance teams. This includes the advance preparation of audit reports and other supporting documentation, anticipating questions/issues, explaining specific ethics processes, forms, and templates, and following-up with requests from auditors for additional information or reports
• Clearly communicate arising complex compliance requirements for ACC members and faculty, staff, and students, international, federal, and provincial regulations and relevant University of Waterloo policies and procedures
• Develop content, disseminate, and manage all communication initiatives associated with using animals in research or teaching
• Maintain professionalism at all times in conflict situations; use interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and delicate situations with ACC members, faculty, staff, and students
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with researchers and ACC, merit reviewers, and advisory committee members to build credibility and encourage proactive discussions and anticipatory analysis of ethical issues
• Undertake special projects from time to time, in collaboration with the Director or ACC, as needed, including providing support for other OR and ORE strategic initiatives

Ethics Administration

• Oversee the functioning of the ethics review system and be the point person in the ORE for animal related protocols
• Ensure system workflow reflects Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ACC operations and required use of system/database for users and administrators
• Train ACC members, troubleshoot problems, and prepare instructional materials
• Provide day-to-day operational and secretariat support for the research ethics, merit review, and advisory committees (e.g., prepare agendas and minutes, order meals, room bookings and equipment or IT requests)
• Manage ORE animal webpages
• Develop standard operating procedures for ACC operations including the Central Animal Facility and satellite facilities and ensure the ACC has a current and complete list of SOPs, policies, and professional development materials
• Verify that the required training has been completed by Waterloo researchers
• Maintain the integrity of all files and documents including the input of information, auditing records and files, following up with researchers for outstanding or missing information/documents, and annual progress reports or suspended/lapsed approvals
• Maintain up to date files such as membership lists, reports, terms of reference, minutes, and orientation materials

Research Ethics Training and Outreach

• Represent the ACC and ORE professionally at internal seminars, webinars, and informal networking events designed to improve researchers\xe2\x80\x99 knowledge of ethical issues associated with using animals in research or teaching
• Develop training and deliver presentations to faculty, staff, and students on the ethical use of animals in research or teaching and promote training activities to enhance the skill set of researchers
• Design and deliver seminars, speaking engagements to internal and external audiences which focus on improving the knowledge of the broader community about ethical issues in with using animals in research or teaching
• Manage special events for the ACC and ORE
• Conduct onboarding and orientation sessions for new committee members
• Design and develop content and materials for workshops or training sessions and establish an ongoing professional development program for ACC members

• Lead ethics and compliance training sessions
• Identify areas where training is needed and develop training initiatives
• Analyze feedback from training sessions to improve future training sessions
• Regularly monitor training available from other sources and arrange these opportunities for ACC members, staff or researchers, as appropriate
• Develop schedules for technical training sessions ensuring animal facility trainers have been secured for each session in a timely fashion
• Manage registrations and course content for all training

Qualifications

• Completion of a Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in a discipline related to science including completion of a research course or project involving animals OR equivalent extensive ethics administration or research administration and experience
• 5 to 7 years\xe2\x80\x99 progressive research or research administration experience with a proven track record of achievement and success including simultaneous management of projects and direct delivery of training material
• RLAT designation is a strong asset
• Basic skills in Microsoft Office suite
• Prior use of an online, web-based system
• Experience in a customer service role
• Systems thinking, people management, conflict resolution, persuasion, interpersonal, organizational and communication skills

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our .

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

University of Waterloo