Manager, Animal Ethics

Be challenged and imagine with us

As Manager, Animal Ethics you will provide leadership and oversight for the University’s animal ethics function, supporting governance arrangements that ensure the ethical use of animals in research and teaching in line with legislative and regulatory requirements.

This role combines operational leadership with strategy, working closely with researchers, committees, and stakeholders to strengthen governance, systems, and a culture of responsible research conduct.

In this role you will:

• Lead the Animal Ethics function, providing leadership and expert advice, and supporting the effective operation of the Animal Care and Ethics Committee.
• Ensure University-wide compliance with national and state legislation, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks, including registrations, reporting, and engagement with government agencies.
• Develop and oversee continuous improvement initiatives across animal ethics governance, systems and processes to respond to an evolving regulatory and higher education landscape.
• Build strong partnerships across the University, delivering training, guidance, and initiatives that enhance researcher capability and promote best practice in animal welfare and ethics.

This contingent position is full time and will be located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal land).

How will you inspire us?

You will bring:

• Experience managing or coordinating governance, compliance or regulatory activities within a highly regulated or risk‑sensitive organisational environment, such as research, health, higher education or the public sector.
• Practical experience interpreting and applying legislative, regulatory and policy requirements in an operational context, including providing sound advice to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capability supporting and overseeing committee‑based governance processes, ensuring effective decision‑making, appropriate documentation and follow‑through.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally with diverse stakeholders, manage sensitive or complex issues, and maintain confidence in governance processes.
• Well‑developed organisational, systems and process skills, with experience contributing to operational improvements in governance or compliance functions.
• Professional judgement, discretion, and accountability appropriate to a role operating in a regulated environment where decisions carry institutional, ethical, and reputational risk.

What we offer

The remuneration for this position is Higher Education Worker Level 8 + 17% superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience. 

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• 17% super and salary packaging.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal, life, and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more.
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

For more information on benefits and conditions, please follow this link.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

Your next steps

Important information before you apply:

• If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ (or equivalent) to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy from the Related Documents section before commencing your application.
• Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit.

Your application:

Your application must include:

• Your resume.
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity.
• A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed below (these may differ slightly from the Position Description, please only respond to the below in your application).

1. Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying complex legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks, including the ability to exercise independent professional judgement and provide authoritative, practical advice that supports compliant, ethical and proportionate decision‑making.
2. Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to convey complex or sensitive information clearly and persuasively in writing and verbally, and to build constructive, trusted relationships with academic leaders, professional colleagues and regulatory or external bodies.
3. Relevant experience in animal research ethics, human research ethics, or a comparable regulated research, governance or compliance environment, involving committee‑based decision‑making and regulatory accountability, with demonstrated capacity to model ethical leadership, manage sensitive and complex matters appropriately, and positively influence organisational culture and compliance outcomes.
4. Demonstrated leadership in managing people, priorities, and complex operational activities, including coordinating staff or contributors, overseeing workflows or caseloads, balancing competing demands, and leading process or system improvements to enhance service quality and organisational outcomes.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document. This document should not exceed 3 pages.

We value diversity and strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au.

We also seek to provide a fair chance to all applicants by providing reasonable adjustments where required during the assessment and interview phases of the recruitment process.

Our assessment process

Typically candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive.

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University.

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance – it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable.

Contact Us

For specific position enquiries, please contact Rebecca Dyson, Senior Manager Research Ethics and Integrity via email at rebecca.dyson@newcastle.edu.au

Having technical difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au Please note, we do not accept email applications.

Closing date: Sunday 19 April, 2026 at 11.59pm AEST

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do. 

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.  

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