The Early Career (EC) Committee has open positions!

The EC Committee is responsible for ensuring the views and interests of Early Career members are represented in the work of the AWRN and supporting the AWRN Coordinating Group (CG) to help the AWRN meet its aims.

EC roles will begin on 1st January 2027 and have a term of 2 years. We would particularly welcome applicants from previously underrepresented groups.

Apply here

 

Why join the EC Committee?

Joining the EC Committee is a great opportunity to see how a research network runs, build connections across the AWRN, and help shape what the Network offers its EC members. There are also opportunities to get involved in wider network activities, such as assessing grant applications, running workshops and sitting on EDI panels. The roles are really what you make of them, and you will have the flexibility to bring in your own ideas. Above all, we are looking for people who are enthusiastic about supporting our EC members, contributing to the Network, and improving animal welfare.

 

Eligibility

You must be in your Early Career at the start of the term (1st January 2027). This means you are a current student, do not yet have a permanent role, or are less than 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time, excluding career breaks) into your first permanent position (e.g. lecturer). This includes both early career researchers and non-researchers, such as animal technicians, keepers and those in charity roles. You must also have been an AWRN member for at least 6 months prior to the closing date.

Current EC Committee members can re-apply for current or new roles if they remain eligible.

 

How to apply

Please complete the application form by 30th November 2026. You will be asked to:

1) select the role you are applying for;

2) confirm you meet the eligibility criteria;

3) describe your current career stage, experience, research or professional interests, and why you would be a good fit for the role (200 words max); and

4) describe what you would like to achieve in the role (200 words max).

If you would like to apply for more than one role, please complete a separate form for each.

Application deadline: 30th November 2026.

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to attend an informal chat online.

All applications will be anonymised by the AWRN Network Manager and Assistant Manager and will be selected by the EC Committee.

If you have any questions about the roles, please contact Sally (s.westworth@2024.ljmu.ac.uk) or Urja (uthakrar22@rvc.ac.uk).

 

What roles are available?

The open call is for the following roles. All roles include general committee responsibilities, such as attending committee meetings, discussing issues affecting EC members, reviewing applications and abstracts, and hosting Monthly Meet Ups.

 

Postdoc Representative

An Early Career member who has completed a PhD, or is at an equivalent career stage outside of academia. The EC Committee has two EC Representatives who co-chair the committee. One is typically at a later early career stage and one at an earlier stage, such as a PhD student. They are replaced in alternate years to keep continuity on the committee, and the successful applicant will work alongside the current EC Representative. The EC Representatives provide leadership and direction on EC member issues within the AWRN. They oversee committee meetings, keep committee members on track, and serve as a link between EC members and the AWRN Coordinating Group.

Key responsibilities include:

Representing EC members on the AWRN Coordinating Group
Chairing EC Committee meetings, taking minutes and keeping to time
Organising and running the EC afternoon at the AWRN annual meeting with the Network Manager and Assistant Manager
Organising the advertising and recruitment for the lab exchange scheme and for new EC Committee members
Assessing applications for the annual meeting ECR plenary alongside the EC Committee

 

Evidence Gathering Officer

The Evidence Gathering Officer will work with the Evidence Gathering Officer on the Coordinating Group to collect evidence of the Network's impact, with a focus on its impact for our EC members. This will involve gathering case studies and specific examples of the ways that AWRN has improved animal welfare research, which can then be used to both feedback to current funders and support future grant proposals. They will also help to develop strategies for increasing the impact of the network.

 

Impact and Outreach Officer

The Impact and Outreach Officer will firstly sit on the Outreach Committee, providing an important link between the Outreach Committee and the EC Committee, and helping to plan and/or deliver outreach activities from the AWRN. The person in this role should also consider how we can develop our ability to apply the research of our members to deliver real-world impacts in animal welfare.

 

International Representative

The International Representative will actively engage with international EC members and ensure their voices are represented on the committee. They will also work alongside the International Representative on the Coordinating Group, who is very keen to develop our international strategy, to deliver outcomes which strengthen the network's international reach.

 

Monthly Meet Up Coordinator

The Monthly Meet Up Coordinator takes responsibility for organising and running the Monthly Meet Ups. The Monthly Meet Ups play a key role in training our EC members, and in helping them feel like a part of the community. The MMU coordinator should be someone enthusiastic to continue to develop our offering. They will liaise with the Network Manager and EC Representatives about events that may need a dedicated Monthly Meet Up, and make sure Monthly Meet Ups are inclusive and accessible.

 

Open Science Officer

The Open Science Officer will help to continue developing an open science framework for methods in animal welfare research, alongside the Open Science Officer on the Coordinating Group. The Open Science Officer should be someone enthusiastic about open science to continue this great work, as well as develop their own strategy/ies for improving the adoption of open science principles across the AWRN.

 

Non-academic Research/Technical Representative

Many of our members work hands-on with animals, in roles such as Animal Technicians, Zoo Keepers, and Dog Trainers. These individuals have daily first-hand experience of the impact science and policy have on animal welfare, thus it is important that the views of those in animal-facing roles are represented. The Non-academic Research/Technical Representative will actively engage with other EC members who work directly with animals, as well as those in other non-researcher positions, and ensure their voices are represented on the committee. The Representative will also develop and deliver a strategy/ies for increasing the number of animal caretakers within the AWRN and/or improving their engagement with AWRN activities.