Legal member of the medical ethics review committee (METC azM/UM)

The legal member in the METC is expected to assess the legal aspects of medical-scientific research. To this end, the legal member assesses, among other things, the protocol, the participant information, the informed consent form, the research contract, and related research documents, and makes proposals for their improvement.

The METC azM/UM consists of two chambers, each of which meets once every two weeks on Wednesdays from 15:00-17:00. At every METC meeting, a (substitute) legal member must be present. Before the meeting, this member provides their written view on the proposed research proposal. Availability is in consultation. We request that candidates who may be available on an on-call basis also respond.

The METC azM/UM is looking for a new legal member to expand the current pool of legal members to safeguard the review of research protocols for medical-scientific research involving humans for the future. Expansion is necessary given the increase in complexity of the current review landscape and the challenges regarding national developments, driven by European legislation.

The medical ethics review committee (METC) azM/UM is a recognized METC that assesses medical-scientific research involving humans (research participants) based on, among other things, the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO), the EU Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR), the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR), and the In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (IVDR).

The METC independently assesses whether the protection of research participants is guaranteed, without hindering the progress of medical science.

You will become a legal member at the METC azM/UM, which is located in a building directly next to the hospital and adjacent to the MECC. The METC has a committee with two chambers that discuss research proposals every two weeks. The meetings are scheduled on Wednesdays. It is therefore important that you are available on Wednesdays.

The medical ethics review committee (METC) azM/UM is an independent administrative body, and its support is organizationally part of the Executive Staff of the MUMC+. The METC consists of independent experts from various backgrounds, such as physicians, ethicists, hospital pharmacists, and lawyers. The committee is supported by a local office of (currently 4) administrative secretaries and a daily board.

A number of requirements are set for a legal member by the Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CCMO) (to be found in the CCMO guideline on assessment of expertise requirements for METC members). The CCMO must recognize the member. The requirements are:

• A completed university degree in Dutch law;

• Demonstrable knowledge of health law and in particular the regulation of medical-scientific research involving humans;

• At least three years of legal work experience in the five-year period preceding the date of the requested recognition as a WMO-expert METC member.

For this position, you must be able to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) before commencing work.

Do you meet these job requirements? Then we will go for you!

In addition to interesting and educational meetings, in which diverse studies are discussed, you will receive appropriate compensation for this in the form of an attendance fee.

This concerns a temporary appointment by the CCMO for a period of 4 years for an average of 0.1 fte per week. This appointment can, in accordance with CCMO guidelines, be extended a maximum of 2 times by 4 years.

For more information about the position, you may contact one of the administrative secretaries of the METC azM/UM, reachable via the secretariat at tel. 043 387 6009.

For information about the application procedure, follow this link. General information about employment conditions and working at Maastricht UMC+ can be found here. Unable to find the answer to your question? Then contact the Recruitment team.

Applications for this vacancy can be submitted up to and including 8 November.

We recruit our candidates ourselves and do not work with external agencies for this vacancy.