College members from all specialties and backgrounds have a vital role to play in shaping our work and the membership services we provide. Your diverse experiences help us build a strong, representative community of ophthalmology professionals.
By volunteering to lead our work, you can make a difference to your fellow members, the wider ophthalmic workforce and to your patients. You can also develop your own skills and experience and meet new people.
All College roles are supported by teams of experienced and specialist staff. Together, we deliver our activities in an inclusive and mutually respectful environment, demonstrating the values and behaviours that underpin our work.
Current opportunities are shown below. We encourage you to check this page regularly as we update it with new vacancies frequently.
Guidance on how to apply is included with the individual role details. You may use artificial intelligence tools to assist in completing applications. However you must have a genuine understanding of the information provided and be able to demonstrate your knowledge and experience if shortlisted or interviewed.
Please note that the College recently underwent a governance review, which has resulted in some changes to the opportunities listed. Further updates regarding the REA and other roles will be added to this page as soon as possible.
Current opportunities
Advisory Appointment Committees (AACs) are recruitment panels used when hiring consultants and specialty doctors in NHS Trusts across the UK. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists plays a crucial role in this process by:
- Approving job descriptions for ophthalmologist positions
- Providing College representatives to serve on all consultant and specialist grade appointment panels
- Ensuring applicants meet standards for training, administration, and clinical needs.
AAC representative role
As an AAC representative, you would:
- Attend recruitment interviews to provide quality assurance
- Ensure candidates can effectively train future ophthalmologists
- Verify candidates can provide safe patient care
- Help maintain a fair recruitment process
Requirements
Applicants must:
- be a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- be on the General Medical Council specialist register (unless exemptions apply or a SAS doctor representing on SAS AACs)
- have practised in the NHS in the past two years
- have undertaken trust-approved equality and diversity training within the last three years.
No prior AAC experience necessary as guidance will be provided.
Interested ophthalmologists can email [email protected] to volunteer or request more information.
Representatives can claim expenses from the hiring trust.
As an Advisory Group member, you will support the Clinical Lead and NOD team in developing the national AMD audit. Members will work in partnership with the RCOphth NOD Delivery Team and other stakeholders to agree clinical and process outcomes for the audit, to identify opportunities to disseminate the audit results and to suggest re-design of patient pathways.
Position: AMD Advisory Group
Role description: AMD Advisory Group_Member_Volunteer Description
Number of positions: Two
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years (renewable for a further three years)
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form. Please also feel free to email the NOD team at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
The British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit (BOSU) enables the epidemiological study of rare eye conditions and disorders for the advancement of knowledge and improvement of the prevention, treatment and service planning.
Position: BOSU Committee Member
Role description: BOSU_Member_Volunteer Description
Number of positions: Three
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years, renewable for a further three years
As a member of the Committee, you will:
- Support the operation and ongoing development of the BOSU reporting system
- Review and critique study applications
- Raise awareness and encourage support for the BOSU within your region and or subspecialty.
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form and upload a short CV (maximum of 4 pages). Please also feel free to email Barny Foot, BOSU Coordinator at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
Acting as an examiner for the College is an important role and carries with it responsibility for maintaining the high standards expected of candidates wishing to become Diplomates, Members or Fellows of the College. The panel of examiners consists of both medical practitioners who are Fellows, Members or Affiliate Members of the College and lay examiners drawn from the College’s Lay Advisory Group.
Examining for the College also offers the opportunity to network with colleagues from around the UK, keep your general ophthalmic knowledge up to date and gain CPD.
Further details on the roles and requirements of being an examiner are available in the Panel of Examiners – General Information Pack and relevant information packs below. If you’d like to discuss any of the roles further, please contact the Examinations Department ([email protected])
Panel of Examiners – General Information Pack
Examiner-General-Information-Pack
Consultant and post-CCT Grade Examiners – Information Pack
Application-Pack-for-Consultant-and-post-CCT-Grade-Examiners
SAS Grade Examiners – Information Pack
Application-Pack-for-SAS-Grade-Examiners-Final
Trainee Grade Examiners – Information Pack
Application-Pack-for-Trainee-Grade-Examiners
Certificate in Laser and Refractive Surgery (CertLRS) Examiners
Application-Pack-for-CertLRS-Examiner
Optometrist Examiners (for Refraction Certificate exams) – Information Pack
Examiner-Application-Pack-for-Optometrists-April-2020
Examiners Code of Conduct
Code-of-Conduct-FRCOphth-examiners
College Tutors (CTs) have overall responsibility as lead trainers for the postgraduate training in their unit and are the point of contact with the College.
Please refer to the role description and person specification for further information.
Within the unit, CTs lead and work closely with a team of clinical supervisors (responsible for day-to-day supervision of resident doctors) and educational supervisors (responsible for the global supervision and support of resident doctors).
Beyond the unit, CTs will liaise with Directors of Medical Education (DMEs) in their trust, Training Programme Directors (TPDs) and Regional Education Advisers (REAs) appointed by the College.
Please complete the College-Tutor-Nomination-Form if you are interested in the role.
Bigger units might wish to consider appointing an Associate-College-Tutor with whom duties may be shared.
Newly-appointed CTs are expected to attend a College Tutor training day within six months of appointment. These workshops also serve as refresher for College Tutors on their second term.
College Tutor training day
The aim of the day is to examine the main duties of a CT and discuss the delivery and assessment of training. It will also give the opportunity to meet other CTs. To book a place, please complete and return the combined College-Tutor-Nomination-Form.
The training day is also suitable for Associate College Tutors who support CTs in their role.
The subcommittee’s tole is to develop and coordinate the provision of professional development programmes for the College and its Members and the wider ophthalmic community. The subcommittee is responsible for organising a range of courses, seminars, events and the Annual Congress to meet members’ professional development needs.
Position: Members
Number of vacancies: Three, ideally one will be a SAS doctor and one will also be interested in being the Events and Courses subcommittee representative on the Digital Learning subcommittee
Role description: Courses & Events_Member_Volunteer Description
Start date: ASAP
Term: Three years
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form together with a CV. Please also feel free to email Julie Hodgkinson at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
Use your expertise and experience in digital health, data, or technology-enabled eye care to support the College’s work in developing and embedding digital transformation across ophthalmology.
Position: Digital Health Subcommittee Member
Role description: Digital Health_Member_Volunteer Description
Number of positions: Nine
Start date: March 2026 introduction for official start May 2026
Term: Three years (renewable for a further three years)
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form along with a short CV (maximum of 4 pages). Please also feel free to email Beth Barnes at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
The Digital Learning Subcommittee is responsible for the strategic development and coordination of the College’s INSPIRE digital learning platform and activities, and wider digital learning initiatives which support our Education and Professional Development programmes.
Position: Digital Innovation Representative
Role description: Digital Learning_ Digital Innovation Representative_Volunteer Description
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years
The role of the Digital Innovation Representative is to offer insight into emerging technologies and digital trends that may enhance INSPIRE and the College’s wider digital learning initiatives.
Name of position: SAS Doctor representative
Role description: Digital Learning_SAS Doctor Representative_Volunteer Description
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years
The role of the SAS Representative is to represent the perspectives and learning needs of Specialist and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors.
Name of position: Trainee Representative
Role description: Digital Learning_Trainee Representative_Volunteer Description
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years
The role of the Trainee Representative is to represent the perspectives and learning needs of ophthalmologists in training.
To apply for these exciting opportunities, please complete the volunteer application form and submit a CV. Please also feel free to email Kate Pennington at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
Members of the HRG work with Chair to advise the College on coding issues, including HRG and OPCS; and advise on all tariff-related information and issues associated with the Department of Health and Social Care (National Casemix Office, NHS England, etc.) including PbR (payment by results) to ensure that allocation of healthcare funding reflects the complexities associated with patient mix and treatment across the NHS as effectively as possible.
Position: HRG Member
Role description: HRG_Member_Volunteer Description
Number of vacancies: Two. One member with a special interest in oculoplastics and one member with a special interest in cornea.
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years (renewable for a further three years)
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form. Please also feel free to email Beth Barnes at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
Position: Member
Role description: IMG_Member_Volunteer Description
Start date: Spring 2026
Term: 3 years with three years renewable
Number of vacancies: Three
This is an ideal opportunity for anyone with an interest in both international matters and those interested in the Dual Sponsorship Scheme.
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form. Please feel free to email Robert Hulston [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
The INSPIRE Editorial Board ensures the delivery of high quality and engaging digital learning materials that support ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals. It is responsible for maintaining editorial standards, accuracy, and educational quality of all content hosted on the INSPIRE digital platform and reports to the College’s Digital Learning Subcommittee.
Name of position: Editor in Chief
Role description: INSPIRE Editorial Board_Editor in Chief_Volunteer Description
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years
The Editor in Chief provides overall editorial leadership for INSPIRE, the College’s digital learning platform and will work closely with Editorial Board members, the Digital Learning Subcommittee (DLSC), and the Digital Learning Manager to maintain a coherent, high quality digital learning offer.
INSPIRE Editors are responsible for leading and maintaining high-quality digital learning content within their allocated specialty or topic area. They ensure courses are accurate and verified, educationally sound, and aligned with INSPIRE’s standards. Editors serve a subject-area experts, leading content development and updates for their allocated specialty or topic area.
INSPIRE editors role description: INSPIRE Editorial Board_Editors_Volunteer Description
Positions available:
INSPIRE Editor – Clinical & Surgical Skills and Decision Making
INSPIRE Editor – Community Eye Care
INSPIRE Editor – Emergency Eye Care
INSPIRE Editor – Exams Support
INSPIRE Editor – Fundamental Eye Care
INSPIRE Editor – Glaucoma
INSPIRE Editor – Medical Retina
INSPIRE Editor – Neuro Ophthalmology
INSPIRE Editor – Oculoplastics
INSPIRE Editor – Paediatric Ophthalmology
INSPIRE Editor – Trainee & New Consultant Professional Development
INSPIRE Editor – TTT Research Leadership & Wellbeing
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years
To apply for these exciting opportunities, please complete the volunteer application form and submit a CV. Please also feel free to email Kate Pennington at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
The LAG supports the advancement of the science and practice of ophthalmology by representing lay opinion at the College. Some examples of how LAG members provide input include reviewing patient information to ensure it is clear and accessible to the general public, getting involved in our exams and guidelines work to help set/maintain standards of care and providing public insight on actual or proposed government policy.
Position: Lay member
Role description: LAG_Member_Volunteer Description_FINAL
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years
Number of vacancies: Three
Since this group expresses views based on public and patient experience of health and eye care services, it is open to anyone who is passionate about improving patient care in ophthalmology.
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form on our website. Please feel free to email Mariann Peters [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
Position: Membership Working Group Member – Affiliate Member
Role description: Membership_Affiliate_Volunteer Description
Start date: ASAP
Term: One year (can be extended)
This member will ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its Affiliate Members and considers their views in governance and practice. Your insights will help encouraging others to join the College and make membership more valued by other existing members.
Position: Membership Working Group member – Associate Foundation Doctor
Role description: Membership_Associate Foundation Doctor_Volunteer Description
Start date: ASAP
Term: One year (can be extended)
This member will ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its Foundation Doctor members and considers their views in governance and practice.
Position: Membership Working Group member – Fellow
Role description: Membership_Fellow_Volunteer Description
Start date: ASAP
Term: One year (can be extended)
This member will ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its Fellows and considers their views in governance and practice.
Position: Membership Working Group member – Member MRCOphth
Role description: Membership_MRCOphth_Volunteer Description
Start date: ASAP
Term: One year (can be extended)
This member will ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its Member MRCOphth members and considers their views in governance and practice.
To apply for these exciting opportunities, please complete the volunteer application form. Please feel free to email Iris Mynott [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
The Paediatric Subcommittee plays an important role in guiding the College on every aspect of paediatric ophthalmology. Its purpose is to help ensure children and young people across the UK receive safe, high-quality care, and to speak up for their needs within the College’s wider work.
Position: Member – Paediatric Subcommittee for Wales
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years (renewable for a further three years)
Position: Paediatric Subcommittee resident doctor representative
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years (renewable for a further three years)
Role description: Paediatric_Member_Volunteer Description
To apply for these exciting opportunities, please complete the volunteer application form including your CV.
Closing date: 13 February.
We are recruiting more consultants to assess applicants who wish to have their names entered into the Specialist Register via the Portfolio pathway route (formerly known as CESR).
This involves reviewing applications from doctors both from the UK and abroad to determine whether they have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience of an eligible specialist in the UK. The College panel then makes a recommendation to the GMC regarding the suitability of an applicant being placed on the Specialist Register.
This important role has a number of benefits for the assessors and also for the profession.
Please read the following:
Job description and person specification.
To apply, complete a portfolio pathway assessor application from and return with:
- A copy of your latest Equality and Diversity certificate.
- Date of your last appraisal.
- An abridged CV
Successful applicants will be contacted to attend initial training.
For any questions, please contact Robert Hulston Portfolio pathway manager [email protected]
Position: Portfolio pathway Faculty Chair
Role description: Portfolio Pathway_Chair_Volunteer Description
Start date: Spring 2026
Term: Three years
Name of Position: Portfolio pathway Assessor
Role description: Portfolio Pathway_Assessor_Volunteer Description
Start date: As soon as possible
Term: Minimum three years (extendable)
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form including your latest Equality and Diversity certificate, date of last appraisal and an abridged CV. Please feel free to email Robert Hulston [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
Position: Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) Link Officer
Role description: Quality, Audit & Standards_DES Link Officer_Volunteer Description
Start date: June 2026
Term: Three years (renewable for a further three years)
The DESP Link Officer will advise the College on developments and/or issues related to diabetic eye screening; liaise with NHS England/DHSC diabetic eye screening colleagues; bring items to the attention of the Quality, Audit and Standards Committee related to diabetic eye screening.
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form. Please also feel free to email Jonathan Baker at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
On behalf of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, NHS England (Severn Deanery) coordinates national recruitment into Ophthalmic Specialist Training at Level 1 (ST1). The work of the subcommittee entails annually reviewing the overall process including the person specification, application criteria and scoring matrices for ST1 recruitment, question setting and the creation of marking matrices for ST1 interviews.
Positions available:
Three Member consultants
Role description: Recruitment_Member_Volunteer Description
Resident Doctor member
Role description: Recruitment_Resident Doctor_Volunteer Description
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years (renewable for a further three years)
To apply for these exciting opportunities, please complete the volunteer application form including your CV. Please feel free to email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
Regional Education Advisors (REAs) lead the College’s regional teams to facilitate and oversee the delivery of education and support ophthalmologists.
REAs promote excellence in education for:
- Ophthalmologists at all stages in their careers and across all their roles
- Non-medical ophthalmic professionals
- Students, resident doctors and specialists from other specialties learning about ophthalmology.
There are currently vacancies in these regions:
- East Midlands (South)
- Scotland South East (Edinburgh)
- South West Thames
- South Western (Peninsula)
- Wessex
Read the job description here and apply using the application form .
Regional representatives are elected Council members and act as the main channel of communication between regional colleagues and the College. They play an important role in helping shape the College’s work and ensuring the voice of their region is reflected in national discussions about ophthalmology.
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years with option to renew for an additional three years
Positions: One vacancy in each of the following five regions: Trent, East Anglia, North West Thames, Northern, Wales.
Regional representatives are elected by their regional colleagues. Nominations must be supported by your Clinical Lead/Medical Director and a proposer and seconder who are eligible College members in the region.
Council_Regional Reps_Volunteer Description
To stand to be a regional rep, please contact Iris Mynott: [email protected]
The SAS Subcommittee encompasses SAS (Specialty, Specialists, Associate Specialists) and locally employed trust doctors. We represent SAS ophthalmologists on a wide range of leading committees.
Position: SAS Subcommittee Member
Role description: SAS_Member_Volunteer Description
Number of positions: Four
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years (renewable for a further three years)
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form along with a short CV (maximum of 4 pages). Please also feel free to email Rosie Steele, Quality Improvement and Research Administrator, at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.
The Scientific and Research Committee leads the College’s work to strengthen research quality, scientific integrity, and innovation across ophthalmology.
Position: Committee member
Role description: Scientific & Research_Member_Volunteer Description
Start date: 19 May 2026
Term: Three years (option to renew for a further three)
Number of vacancies: Five
The Committee is seeking new members with skills and experience in innovation, digital health and emerging technologies, alongside strengthening our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion in research. We are looking for individuals who can bring fresh expertise, support the development of colleagues, and contribute to a more inclusive and forward-looking research culture within the College.
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form.
Closing date: 13 February.
The College is seeking Fellows, Members or Affiliate Members to join the Surgical Skills Faculty.
Applicants must be a member of the College and either hold a UK substantive consultant post, be a SAS Doctor or be an ophthalmic trainee at ST6 or ST7 level.
Faculty Members who are appointed for the advanced courses shall, in addition, indicate their areas of subspecialty interest and expertise. Members may be invited to help and advise with regard to writing course material and designing course programmes.
To apply download and complete the SAS and Consultant application form, or the Trainee application form. Return your completed form to [email protected].
As a trustee, you will play a vital part in ensuring the College continues to deliver on its charitable purpose and operates in line with its governing documents. Working alongside fellow trustees, you will help oversee the delivery of our strategy and support effective decision-making across the organisation.
Position: Lay Trustee
Role description: Trustee Board_Lay Trustee_Volunteer Description
Start date: May 2026
Term: Three years
This is an opportunity to bring your skills and insight to the board, offering an external perspective that complements the clinical expertise already represented. Your contribution will help strengthen governance, shape future direction, and ensure the charity remains accountable, effective, and aligned with what it was established to achieve.
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete the volunteer application form. Please also feel free to email Mariann Peters [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 13 February.