About the Role
This is a Fixed Term position for three years until September 2029, working up to 1.0 FTE (minimum 0.4 EFT) within the Advanced Therapies Program and Children's Bioethics Centre.
You will be responsible for providing dedicated ethical expertise to support the development of governance frameworks, guidelines and clinical decision-making processes for the Advanced Therapies Program. Working closely with clinicians, and researchers, you will help ensure ethical considerations are embedded in the introduction and delivery of novel therapies, including gene therapies, cell therapies and other emerging precision medicines.
The role is embedded within the Children's Bioethics Centre and works in partnership with the Advanced Therapies Program to support ethical clinical care, governance, education and strategic planning.
Classification for this position will range from RZ5 to RZ7 Medical Scientist ($127,535.20 - $148,309.20 per annum pro rata). Applicants from all professional backgrounds who have relevant ethics training, skills and experience are welcomed.
What you'll achieve
- Provide expert ethical analysis and advice regarding the implementation and use of advanced therapies in clinical care and research.
- Provide strategic leadership and critical thinking to develop governance frameworks, guidelines and clinical protocols that enable the ethical delivery of advanced therapies at RCH.
- Establish and co-chair the Personalised Therapies (n=1) Advisory Panel to support decision-making for bespoke experimental treatments.
- Deliver education and training on bioethical issues associated with advanced therapies to staff, governance committees and key stakeholders.
Contribute to horizon scanning activities relating to emerging advanced and personalised therapies.
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Your skills and experience
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline and post graduate qualification in bioethics and/or clinical ethics training
- Experience in ethical analysis of practical real-world problems, clinical issues and/or emerging technologies
- Experience working within multidisciplinary healthcare environments alongside clinicians, and researchers
- Demonstrated ability to develop policy, governance or procedural documents and support implementation through education and stakeholder engagement
- Highly developed communication, critical thinking and stakeholder management skills
- Demonstrated capacity to work autonomously
If this sounds like you, click here to view the position description.
About the Department
The Advanced Therapies Program is a newly established initiative within the Medical Services Division that supports access to innovative and emerging therapies through coordinated governance processes and integration of research and clinical care. The Program aims to expand access to advanced therapies for Victorian children and position RCH as an international centre of excellence in this rapidly evolving field.
The successful applicant will be professionally embedded within the Children's Bioethics Centre, which provides clinical ethics consultation, policy advice, education and research across the hospital. The Centre supports clinicians, patients and families in navigating complex ethical issues associated with healthcare decision-making.
What we offer
- Salary Packaging - Increase your take home pay!
- Flexible EFT arrangements (up to 1.0 EFT, minimum 0.4)
- Culture of continuous improvement
- Opportunity to shape the ethical governance of emerging paediatric therapies at a leading children's hospital
- Access to collaborative academic, clinical and research partners across the Melbourne Children's Campus
Other requirements
- Current National Criminal Record Check, or willing to obtain
- Valid Working with Children Check
- Compliance with RCH's Staff Immunisation - Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases procedure
Application process
To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description.
Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. We encourage you to apply promptly.
For more information about this position please contact: Professor Lynn Gillam, Academic Director, Children's Bioethics Centre ([email protected]) or Lindsay Haines, Program Manager, Advanced Therapies ([email protected])
Why work at the RCH?
RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world-class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.
We also offer staff benefits such as discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award-winning health and wellbeing program.
The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.
It is a requirement of your employment that you be vaccinated against Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children’s Hospital. Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.
It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children’s Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption, and offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of background checks including reference checks.
Are you ready to join our team?
Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button
Applications close 21 September 2026
