Call for Interest: CIHR’s Stem Cell Oversight Committee
The Governance and Nominating Committee of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is seeking applications from qualified experts to join the Stem Cell Oversight Committee (SCOC). Individuals with expertise in basic science and/or clinical areas of reproduction, developmental biology, medical genetics, stem cell biology, molecular biology, therapeutics and cellular pathology as well as medical/research ethics, health law, and social sciences are encouraged to apply. CIHR is committed to the values and principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across all aspects of its business. The composition of the committee will reflect CIHR's commitment to ensure gender equity and representation of Indigenous Peoples and Francophones.
The mandate of CIHR's SCOC is to review research applications involving human pluripotent or human totipotent stem cells that have been derived from an embryonic source and/or will be transferred into humans or non-human animals to ensure compliance with Chapter 12, Section F of the TCPS 2.
The major roles and responsibilities of the committee are to:
- Provide ongoing advice to the Panel on Research Ethics about the ethical issues of human stem cell research;
- Provide ongoing review of Chapter 12, Section F of TCPS 2 to ensure continuing relevance, and advise the Panel on Research Ethics when revision may be appropriate;
- Provide ongoing advice to CIHR's Governing Council about the ethical and scientific issues of human stem cell research and eventual clinical applications; and
- Provide ongoing reports of its activities related to the review of human stem cell research funding applications to Governing Council, and offer recommendations on the conformity of human embryonic stem cell lines used or derived in research funding application to Chapter 12, Section F of TCPS 2.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must:
- Possess relevant expertise and high-level skills in areas of basic science and/or clinical research, patient care and/or areas of medical ethics and law; and
- Have two or more of the following competencies:
- ability to critically evaluate research funding applications involving human stem cells according to criteria outlined in TCPS 2;
- ability to provide input and advice on the ethical issues of human stem cell research;
- demonstrated leadership in the relevant research and/or clinical fields of human stem cell science, human stem cell applications, medical ethics and/or health law;
- ability to provide oversight and recommendations on the use of human stem cell lines used or derived in research and/or their applications to clinical care;
Appointments to the Stem Cell Oversight Committee will be made in a way that ensures:
- A strong and effective committee
- Transparency and fairness of process
- Breadth of expertise and experience
- Diversity of membership
The appointments will start on January 1, 2024 for a term of three years, and members may be renewed for a second term of up to three years.
The current membership and additional information on the SCOC can be found here:
Stem Cell Oversight Committee - CIHR (cihr-irsc.gc.ca)
To note: The Terms of Reference of all standing committees of CIHR's Governing Council are reviewed annually and more frequently if amendments are required.
Time Commitment
The Committee meets virtually at least twice per year for business meetings. Additional meetings may be held at the call of the Chair. Members will be asked to conduct delegated reviews, or committee virtual reviews of human stem cell research applications throughout the year (no more than monthly).
Remuneration
Members are not compensated for their service.
How to Apply
Interested individuals are invited to apply by sending the following documents to CIHR's Governance Secretariat: governance-gouvernance@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.
- a letter of interest (maximum 1000 words), which makes reference to qualifications, expertise, and the perspective they would bring to the work of the Stem Cell Oversight Committee (SCOC);
- a curriculum vitae; and
- a completed self-identification questionnaire. (All applicants will be sent the self-identification questionnaire following submission of their application)
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