About the Role
As a Lay Member, you will play a vital part in safeguarding the rights, safety, and well-being of research participants. Your main responsibility will be to represent the interests and views of the public in the ethical review of research proposals related to medical training. You’ll help ensure that research is accessible, understandable, and acceptable to non-experts, and that participant-facing documents are clear and jargon-free.
Key responsibilities include:
- Critically reviewing research proposals and participant materials
- Assessing potential risks and ensuring informed consent
- Actively contributing to committee discussions and decision-making
- Upholding confidentiality and committee governance standards
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from individuals with:
- A strong commitment to public service values and participant welfare
- The ability to analyse complex information and communicate clearly
- Objectivity and confidence to contribute in a multidisciplinary setting
- Experience in committee or advisory roles (desirable, but not essential)
What You’ll Gain
While this is a voluntary position, you’ll gain valuable experience in research governance and ethical review, enhance your CV, and have the opportunity to influence the development of ethical standards in medical training research. Reasonable expenses will be covered, and meetings are held virtually, making the role accessible from anywhere.
How to Apply
To express your interest, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining why you’d like to join and what you would bring to the committee to ethics@thefederation.uk by 27 February 2026. If you have any questions or concerns about your eligibility, please get in touch to discuss further.
Help us ensure the highest standards of integrity and participant care in medical research—apply today!