Expansion of The Operating Room Global Institutional Review Board (TORG-IRB)

The Operating Room Global (TORG) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably qualified, experienced, and committed professionals to join The Operating Room Global Institutional Review Board (TORG-IRB).

As TORG continues to expand its international research portfolio, Global Research Fellowship activities, institutional partnerships, and multinational collaborative studies, we are strengthening the capacity of the TORG-IRB to provide timely, independent, high-quality, and internationally aligned ethical review of research involving human participants, health data, and related research materials.

The TORG-IRB supports ethical governance across surgical, obstetric, trauma, anaesthesia, perioperative, public health, clinical, educational, and allied health research conducted under the auspices of TORG or in collaboration with its partners.

Who Should Apply?

Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified professionals with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • Surgery and surgical specialties
  • Anaesthesia and perioperative medicine
  • Nursing and midwifery
  • Public health and global health
  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics
  • Bioethics and research ethics
  • Clinical research
  • Pharmacy and pharmacology
  • Health law and regulatory governance
  • Data protection and information governance
  • Health informatics, artificial intelligence, and digital health
  • Social and behavioural sciences
  • Community or public representation
  • Other relevant healthcare, research, legal, scientific, or academic disciplines

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should:

  • Hold a recognised postgraduate or professional qualification in a relevant discipline, such as MBBS, MBChB, MD, MSc, MPH, MPhil, PharmD, PhD, DrPH, or an equivalent qualification.
  • Demonstrate relevant experience in research, research ethics, academia, healthcare, public health, clinical practice, legal or regulatory governance, or related leadership roles.
  • Have sufficient knowledge and experience to critically review research protocols, methodologies, ethical safeguards, participant protection measures, informed consent processes, data governance arrangements, and risk–benefit considerations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of internationally recognised ethical principles and guidance, including the Declaration of Helsinki, CIOMS International Ethical Guidelines, the Belmont Report, and Good Clinical Practice, where applicable.
  • Demonstrate strong critical appraisal, written communication, organisational, and collaborative working skills.
  • Be willing to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately declare and manage any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • Be able to contribute independently, professionally, impartially, and consistently to the work of the Board.

Time Commitment and Participation Requirements

Applicants must be able to commit sufficient time to the responsibilities of the TORG-IRB.

Appointed members will be expected to:

  • Review assigned protocols within the timelines specified by the TORG-IRB.
  • Acknowledge assigned reviews promptly and communicate early where they are unable to complete an assignment.
  • Participate actively in scheduled and emergency IRB meetings, where applicable.
  • Provide clear, evidence-informed, constructive, and ethically grounded review feedback.
  • Review revised protocols and investigator responses where follow-up assessment is required.
  • Contribute to discussions, voting, policy development, training, and quality-improvement activities of the Board.
  • Respond to official TORG-IRB communications within reasonable timelines.
  • Complete any required orientation, confidentiality declarations, conflict-of-interest declarations, or research ethics training.

Applicants should carefully consider their existing professional, clinical, academic, and personal commitments before applying. Membership requires active and reliable participation and should not be regarded as a purely honorary appointment.

Desirable Experience

Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

  • Previous experience serving on an Institutional Review Board, Research Ethics Committee, ethics panel, regulatory committee, or similar body.
  • Formal education or certification in research ethics, Good Clinical Practice, clinical research, bioethics, research governance, or related areas.
  • Experience designing, conducting, supervising, or mentoring research.
  • Experience reviewing research protocols, manuscripts, grants, theses, dissertations, or academic projects.
  • Peer-reviewed research publications.
  • Experience in multicentre, multinational, clinical, implementation, qualitative, mixed-methods, public health, or global health research.
  • Experience working with vulnerable populations or in low-resource and culturally diverse settings.
  • Knowledge of data protection, confidentiality, artificial intelligence, digital research tools, or international research collaboration.

Nature and Term of Appointment

Appointments to the TORG-IRB are made on a voluntary basis.

Successful applicants will ordinarily be appointed for an initial term of two years, renewable subject to:

  • Satisfactory performance
  • Continued engagement
  • Organisational need
  • Availability of suitable roles
  • Compliance with the TORG-IRB Charter, policies, and standards
  • Continued willingness and capacity to serve

Appointment does not create an employment relationship with The Operating Room Global.

Performance Review and Accountability

The TORG-IRB is committed to maintaining an active, responsive, multidisciplinary, and high-performing Board.

Members’ performance and engagement will be reviewed periodically. Reviews may consider:

  • Responsiveness to assigned protocols
  • Adherence to review deadlines
  • Quality, clarity, and consistency of review feedback
  • Attendance and participation in meetings
  • Compliance with confidentiality and conflict-of-interest requirements
  • Contribution to Board discussions, training, policy development, and quality improvement
  • Professional conduct and collaboration with other members
  • Overall contribution to the effective functioning of the TORG-IRB

Members who consistently fail to meet expected standards of participation, responsiveness, conduct, or performance may have their membership reviewed, suspended, or terminated in accordance with the TORG-IRB governance framework.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants should submit the following:

  • A brief Expression of Interest, not exceeding one page, outlining:
    • Motivation for applying
    • Relevant expertise
    • Research and ethics experience
    • Expected contribution to the TORG-IRB
    • Confirmation of availability and ability to meet review timelines
  • A current Curriculum Vitae
  • A brief summary of relevant research, academic, clinical, legal, public health, data governance, or research ethics experience including Details of any previous IRB, Research Ethics Committee, peer-review, regulatory, research supervision, or protocol-review experience
  • Evidence of relevant research ethics or Good Clinical Practice training, where available
  • A professional photo or headshot for social media announcement should the application be successful.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted by email to:

[email protected]

Email subject:
Expression of Interest – The Operating Room Global Institutional Review Board (TORG-IRB)

Application Deadline

Saturday, 31st July 2026, 18:00 BST

Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. TORG may invite shortlisted candidates for a brief interview or request additional information before final selection.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Relevant qualifications
  • Research and ethics experience
  • Professional expertise
  • Multidisciplinary contribution
  • Critical appraisal skills
  • Availability and time commitment
  • Ability to meet review deadlines
  • Commitment to confidentiality, integrity, independence, and participant protection
  • Alignment with the current expertise and diversity needs of the TORG-IRB

Appointment is merit-based and does not guarantee selection solely on the basis of current or previous TORG membership or leadership service.

Why Join the TORG-IRB?

Benefits of Membership

As a member of The Operating Room Global Institutional Review Board (TORG-IRB), you will have the opportunity to:

  • Contribute to the ethical oversight of multinational and multidisciplinary health research.
  • Support the advancement of ethical governance, research integrity, and participant protection in global health research.
  • Collaborate with an international multidisciplinary network of clinicians, researchers, academics, ethicists, and healthcare leaders.
  • Gain valuable experience in ethical review, research governance, and institutional review board operations.
  • Participate in TORG-IRB meetings, educational activities, workshops, and ethics congresses.
  • Enhance your professional portfolio through service on an internationally recognised Institutional Review Board.
  • Contribute to the review of innovative research, including clinical, public health, educational, implementation, and multinational collaborative studies.
  • Receive a formal Letter of Appointment upon appointment.
  • Receive a Certificate of Service at the completion of each satisfactory term of appointment.
  • Be acknowledged on the official TORG-IRB webpage during your term of office.
  • Be considered for leadership, committee, training, mentorship, and faculty opportunities within The Operating Room Global, subject to performance and organisational needs.
  • Contribute to strengthening ethical research capacity, particularly across low- and middle-income countries.

Professional Development

Active members may also be eligible for:

  • Recognition awards for outstanding service.
  • Priority consideration for selected TORG research, education, and leadership initiatives.
  • Opportunities to contribute to the development of IRB policies, guidance documents, and research ethics resources.
  • Opportunities to represent the TORG-IRB at national and international meetings, webinars, and collaborative activities, where appropriate.

Important Notice

The TORG-IRB requires active, reliable, and timely participation from all appointed members. Applicants should apply only where they are confident that they can fulfil the expected responsibilities alongside their existing commitments.

The Operating Room Global reserves the right to appoint, reassign, suspend, or discontinue membership based on organisational need, performance, conduct, engagement, and compliance with the TORG-IRB governance framework.

We welcome applications from experienced professionals who share our commitment to ethical excellence, research integrity, participant protection, timely review, and responsible global health research.

The Operating Room Global (TORG)
The Operating Room Global Institutional Review Board (TORG-IRB)

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