Lead our work

Volunteer opportunity: Academic, Research and Innovation (ARI) Subcommittee – Chair
The Academic, Research and Innovation (ARI) Subcommittee influences and informs the College’s activities to promote academic education and research. The Subcommittee comprises UK members who are research active and academic ophthalmologists to represent their perspectives and needs.
ARI Chair – role description 
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Academic, Research and Innovation (ARI) Subcommittee – Member
As a member of the ARI Subcommittee, you will have the opportunity to contribute and inform the College’s activities to promote academic education and research. The Subcommittee comprises members who are research active and academic ophthalmologists to represent their perspectives and needs.
ARI Member – role description 
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Digital Learning Subcommittee – Chair
The main purpose of the Digital Learning subcommittee is to develop and coordinate the provision of digital learning for the College and its members. This primarily involves the ongoing development of the INSPIRE online learning platform, but the Digital Learning subcommittee will also have oversight of other College digital learning projects such as the EyeSite component of the e-LfH platform.
Digital Learning Chair – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Digital Learning Subcommittee Member – Congress Materials Lead

As the Congress Materials Lead you will have specific responsibility for materials supporting or generated by Congress, and the associated faculties, contributors and learners.
Digital Learning_Member-Congress Materials Lead – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Digital Learning Subcommittee – Member, Courses and Seminars Materials Lead
As the Courses and Seminars Lead you will have specific responsibility for materials supporting or generated by College courses, seminars and webinars, and the associated faculties, contributors and learners.
Digital Learning Member Courses and Seminars Materials Lead – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

The purpose of the Education Committee is to lead the College’s education programmes and strategy. It is responsible for the education related activities and strategies of the College, apart from those related to Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) which fall under the Training Committee. These activities include continuing professional development, educational courses and seminars, digital and online learning, faculty development, eyecare professional education, administration of awards and scholarships, and lifelong learning at all career stages.

Volunteer opportunity: Education Committee – Chair
 As Chair you will oversee the delivery of the RCOphth Educational Programme by the Education Leads and Representatives and have responsibility for ensuring that the Education Committee performs its duties set out in its Terms of Reference, as well as supporting and giving guidance to the Subcommittees and Education Leads.
Education Chair – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Education Committee – New Consultants Lead
The importance of support for newly-appointed consultants is now widely recognised. This support is particularly crucial in developing the non-clinical aspects of the consultant role.  New consultants need to develop a range of interpersonal and professional skills and improve their knowledge of the structure and workings of the health service.  The RCOphth can provide networks of support for new consultants, and signpost to external services which can be accessed if the need arises. Taking on the role of New Consultants Lead will give you the opportunity to build on the work that has been done so far, and to further develop and deliver the College’s programme of support and development for new consultants.
Education New Consultants Lead – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Education Committee – Undergraduate and Foundation Doctors Lead
Basic knowledge and skills in ophthalmology are essential for all doctors during training, regardless of their intended final career path.  It is therefore important to promote the teaching of “Eyes and Vision” in undergraduate courses, and to enthuse students about the specialty.  Doctors entering ophthalmology often have little prior exposure to the specialty, so it is necessary to make available appropriate information about careers in ophthalmology. The College would now like to appoint an Undergraduate Education Lead to further develop and deliver a strategy for undergraduates.
Education Committee Undergraduate and Foundation Doctors Lead – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Regional Education Advisor
Regional Education Advisors (REA) are the College’s senior representatives promoting excellence in ophthalmic education for all clinical eyecare professionals within their region, at all stages of their career from students onwards. The REA serves as a liaison between the College and ophthalmic educators in their region. The REA identifies and leads the College Regional Education Team for their region. The regional team facilitate and deliver College educational activities in that region.
Regional Education Advisor – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Eye Care Professionals (ECP) Subcommittee – Chair
The College is forming the ECP Education Subcommittee, which will be formed of members from all professional groups. We seek a Chair for this committee who will lead in ECP education including the ongoing development of the OPT scheme.
Eye Care Professionals Chair – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: HRG Working Group – Member
Members of the HRG Subcommittee will work with Chair to advise the College on coding issues, tariff related information and issues associated with the Department of Health and Social Care including 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. This work is very England orientated.
Health Resources Group – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: INSPIRE – Editor Emergency Eye Care
As an INSPIRE Editor you will need to be committed to and contribute to the platform as a whole. You will lead the Emergency Eye Care editorial team and oversee the creation, quality control, and uploading of Emergency Eye Care content to INSPIRE.
INSPIRE Editor Emergency Eye Care – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: INSPIRE – Editor Clinical Decision Making
As an INSPIRE Editor you will need to be committed to and contribute to the platform as a whole. You will lead the Clinical Decision Making editorial team and oversee the creation, quality control, and uploading of Clinical Decision Making content to INSPIRE.
INSPIRE Editor Clinical Decision Making – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: International Medical Graduates (IMG) Subcommittee – Chair
The College is seeking a new Chair for the IMG Subcommittee. The current Chair’s role is due to end on 31 October 2025.  This is an ideal opportunity for anyone with an interest in both international matters and those interested in the Dual Sponsorship Scheme.
IMG Chair – role desciption
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: International Medical Graduates (IMG) Subcommittee – Member
The College is seeking up to four new members for the IMG Subcommittee. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone with an interest in both international matters and those interested in the Dual Sponsorship Scheme.
IMG Member – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Lay Advisory Group (LAG) – Chair
The Lay Advisory Group (LAG) supports the advancement of the science and practice of ophthalmology by representing lay opinion at the College. The Lay Chair plays a crucial role in leading and providing strategic direction for the Lay Advisory Group, ensuring effective collaboration and valuing each member’s contributions to advance the group’s work. Responsibilities include offering constructive feedback to the College, supporting the development of group members, and reporting directly to the CEO, President, and College Council on the group’s activities. Additionally, the Lay Chair may represent the College when needed.
LAG Chair – role description
Apply here by 13 February 

Volunteer opportunity: Lay Advisory Group (LAG) – Member
The Lay Advisory Group (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.
LAG Member – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Along with attending LAG meetings, LAG members are often invited to join various other Committees to offer advice and insight on issues which directly affect patients. There is also the opportunity to become a Lay Examiner for college exams directly contributing to the profession.

Volunteer opportunity: Membership Working Group – Member, Associate Medical Student
The position is perfect for an Associate Medical Student member who is keen to ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its medical student members and considers their views in governance and practice. Your insights will help making membership attractive to other medical students and ensure that existing members continue on their membership journey with the College.
Membership – Associate Medical Student – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Membership Working Group – Member Trainee
The position is perfect for a Trainee member who is keen to ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its Trainee members and considers their views in governance and practice. Your insights will help making membership more valued by other existing members.
Membership – Trainee – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Membership Working Group – Member, MRCOphth
The position is perfect for a Member MRCOphth who is keen to ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its Member MRCOphth 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.
Membership – MRCOphth – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Membership Working Group – Member, International
The position is perfect for an international member who is keen to ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its international members and is as inclusive as possible. Your insights in Ophthalmology practice in your country will enable us to choose inclusive language, consider alternative governance and practice, and make membership attractive to professionals outside of the UK.
Membership – International – role description 
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Membership Working Group  – Member, Fellow FRCOphth
The position is perfect for a Fellow FRCOphth member who is keen to ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its Fellow FRCOphth 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.
Membership – Fellow FRCOphth – role description 
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Membership Working Group – Member, Associate Foundation Doctor
The position is perfect for an Associate Foundation Doctor member who is keen to ensure that the College offers value and benefits to its Foundation Doctor members and considers their views in governance and practice. Your insights will help making membership attractive to other Foundation Doctors and ensure that existing members continue on their membership journey with the College.
Membership – Associate Foundation Doctor – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Membership Working Group – Member, Affiliate
The position is perfect for an Affiliate member who is keen to 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.
Membership – Affiliate – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

As a member of the group, you will be expected to attend meetings, share your views, carry out some research independently, be comfortable presenting your findings to the rest of the group, and work collaboratively on the projects the group is set.

Volunteer opportunity: National Cataract Audit Advisory Group – Member, Ophthalmologist in Training
We are seeking applications for an ophthalmologist in training (ST2-ST5) to advise on maximisation of the Audit to inform training; improve patient outcomes; liaise with the ophthalmologists in training group; encourage engagement by trainees with the Audit outputs.
National Cataract Audit Advisory Member Ophthalmologist in Training – role description

Apply here by 13 February

Volunteer opportunity: Net Zero Working Group – Member
The purpose of the role and the working group is to promote an evidence-based approach towards sustainable, low-carbon eye care, both within the College and across the specialty. This includes drafting guidance to support units, hosting a congress session, fostering links with other organisations and measuring the impact of our approach.
Net Zero Working Group – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) – Regional lead
Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) is a competency-based training programme founded on the Ophthalmic Common Clinical Competency Framework (OCCCF). It develops nonmedical ophthalmic practitioners in secondary care, enabling them to take on extended roles to support the delivery of ophthalmology. The Regional OPT Lead is responsible for the quality control of the award of the OPT Certificates. They oversee the OPT Programme and the quality of assessment of its learners in their region.
OPT Regional Lead – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Portfolio Pathway – Assessor
The College’s role is to evaluate individual applications from those doctors seeking entry onto the Specialist Register via the Portfolio pathway route. Applications are evaluated in accordance with the guidance set by the college and GMC. Assessors are required to ensure the best interests of the patient are protected and that the applicant receives a fair assessment of their application in accordance with relevant legislation, the current process and advice.
Portfolio Pathway Assessor – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Quality and Standards Committee – Chair
You will provide clear leadership of the Quality and Standards Committee’s work to set standards and drive improvements in the safety and quality of ophthalmic care. You will work with the Quality Improvement and Research team to help drive improvements in service delivery within UK ophthalmology and improve the quality of ophthalmic care provided to patients. Standing Committee Chairs are members of the Council and Executive Committee and have the opportunity to become a member of the Trustee Board.
Quality and Standards_Chair_Volunteer Description – FINAL

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Recruitment Subcommittee – Chair
Your responsibilities will include reviewing the overall process including the person specification, application criteria and scoring matrices for ST1 recruitment, scenario writing and reviewing of marking matrices for ST1 interviews. This will be undertaken alongside members of the sub-committee who will help write scenarios. You will also review appeals following portfolio scoring, alongside members of the subcommittee.
Recruitment Chair – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Recruitment Subcommittee – Member
As a full member of the Recruitment Sub-Committee, you will be involved in the annual review of the overall process including the person specification, application criteria, and scoring matrix for ST1 recruitment.
Recruitment Member role description

Apply here by 13 February.

The SAS Committee encompasses SAS (Specialty, Specialists, Associate Specialists) and locally employed ‘Trust’ doctors. We represent SAS ophthalmologists on a wide range of leading committees. SAS doctors are the backbone of the NHS providing stability for their patients in a department. We encourage SAS to be assertive in how they lead, train and teach others based on their experience. The SAS Group is an integral to the work of the College and has an influential voice on all major College Committees to represent SAS ophthalmologists’ opinions to the College.

Volunteer opportunity: SAS Subcommittee – Member
SAS Member – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

The Scientific Committee promotes science and research in ophthalmology to influence excellence in patient care though evidence-based ophthalmology and the translation of research into innovation in clinical practice.

Volunteer opportunity: Scientific Committee – Chair
The Chair provides strong and clear leadership of the Scientific Committee. They also currently play a key role in supporting the Events Manager to develop the content programme for the College’s Annual Congress and seminar programme.
Scientific Chair – role description

Volunteer opportunity: Scientific Committee – Member – Cataract
Use your expertise to promote science and research and excellence in patient care though evidence-based ophthalmology and the translation of research into innovation in clinical practice.
Scientific Member Cataract – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Scientific Committee – Member, Expert in Epidemiology and Public Health
Use your expertise in epidemiology and public  health to promote science and research and excellence in patient care though evidence-based ophthalmology and the translation of research into innovation in clinical practice. You will support the planning of educational and academic meetings in ophthalmology including advising on content for Annual Congress, seminars, webinars including delivering at least one seminar within a 3-year period of membership of the Scientific Committee.
Scientific Member Epidemiology – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Simulation Subcommittee – Lead
The College would like to further develop and deliver a Strategy for Simulation. The lead will be a credible ambassador for the use of simulation at all levels of medical education. They will contribute to the development and implementation of the Simulation Strategy, and liaise closely with the Skills Faculty Lead to ensure the strategy encourages a connected approach across the Skills Faculty and Simulation Leads in the regions.
Simulation Lead – role description
Apply here by 13 February.

Volunteer opportunity: Training Committee – Chair
The Training Committee is one of the standing committees of the College. As Chair you will oversee the work of the subcommittees and other relevant committees to meet the General Medical Council’s Standards for Curricula and Assessment Systems through the monitoring and development of curriculum and assessments which are fit for purpose and implement changes which improve the quality of training and assessments as necessary.
Training Chair Volunteer – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

The purpose of the Training the Trainers (TTT) Subcommittee is to develop and coordinate the provision of the Training the Trainers programme for the College and its members. It is accountable to the Education Committee. The TTT programme currently includes courses for trainees, supervisors, College tutors, OPT, surgical, and advanced trainers and educators.

Volunteer opportunity: Chair of TTT subcommittee
As Chair you will oversee the delivery of the TTT programme by the members of the subcommittee.
Chair of TTT – role description

Volunteer opportunity: Surgical Lead of TTT Subcommittee
As Surgical Lead you will have responsibility for the development and provision of the TTT Surgical course programme.
Surgical Lead of TTT Subcommittee – role description

Apply here by 13 February.

Represent your specialty, your UK region, and your College.

Nominations are now open for the voluntary role of regional representative on Council in 11 out of the 19 UK regions. The regions are: Mersey, Moorfields, North East Thames, Northern Ireland, Northern, North West, Scotland West, South East Thames, South Western, Wessex, and West Midlands.

You can see more information on who is eligible to stand and vote in these elections here.

If you’d like to apply, please fill in the online form, and ask your clinical lead/medical director, and your nominator and seconder to fill in the support form. Please ensure they know which region you wish to stand for and whether they are your nominator or seconder.

The deadline for nominations and all supporting material is Tuesday 28 January 2025.

Only complete nominations can be considered.

Please contact [email protected] for more information.

The College is seeking Fellows, Members or Affiliate Members to join the Surgical Skills Faculty.

Applicants must 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].

Advisory Appointment Committees, or AACs, are recruitment panels used when hiring consultants and specialty doctors in Trusts across the UK. The College works with trusts and other NHS bodies to approve job descriptions and send a volunteer College adviser to provide College guidance on the suitability of the applicants for appointment. Here you can find information about becoming an AAC representative and what trusts need to provide to the College for recruitment.

RCOphth’s role in AACs

College involvement in AACs is important. Anyone hiring a consultant ophthalmologist for an NHS provider must organise an AAC recruitment interview, with a College representative on all panels for consultant appointments. Our Regional Representatives approve job descriptions to ensure job planning offers adequate SPAs and staffing in hospital ophthalmology departments can meet its training, administration and clinical experience needs. We rely on consultant ophthalmologists volunteering as AAC reps to provide a robust and thorough process for the recruitment of vital consultants in ophthalmology.

AAC Representatives

As an AAC adviser you will work alongside RCOphth regional representatives to provide quality assurance of appointed consultants by attending recruitment interviews. Your external perspective will ensure candidates are suitable to fulfil all elements of the role. This safeguards patients and the NHS provider.

You will:

• Ensure a candidate is fit to train the next generation of ophthalmologists
• Check that a candidate can offer safe and efficient patient care within the needs of the department
• Ensure a fair and impartial recruitment process that accurately reflects a candidate’s suitability for the role

We recruit for AAC representatives on an ongoing basis. We receive requests from trusts for an AAC representative every month at locations throughout the UK, so we’re looking for representatives from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We welcome applications from those with at least one year’s experience as a consultant ophthalmologist within the NHS. You do not need to have any prior experience as an AAC representative, you will be provided with guidance to support you in this role.  However, you must have had tTrust approved equality and diversity training in the last 3 years.

Email p[email protected] to add your name to our list of AAC representatives, or request further information. We send weekly emails to our representatives with a full list of AACs that we’re seeking a volunteer for. We endeavour to provide as much notice as possible and you can volunteer for as many as you are able to do. Expenses can be claimed from the hiring trust.

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-April

SAS Grade Examiners – Information Pack
Application-Pack-for-SAS-Grade-Examiners-Final-Oct

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

The College values the work carried out by its tutors and has a number of resources available to them. Please complete the College-Tutor-Nomination-Form if you are interested in the role.

College tutors (CTs) have overall responsibility as lead trainers for the postgraduate training in the unit and are the point of contact with the Royal College.  They are an important component to the delivery of a successful training programme across the country and therefore the work they do is greatly appreciated by 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 (CS, responsible for day-to-day supervision of trainees) and educational supervisors (ES, responsible for the global supervision and support of trainees).

Beyond the unit, CTs will liaise with directors of medical education (DMEs) in the trust, training programme directors (TPDs) at the LETB/Deanery and regional education advisers (REAs) appointed by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. regional education advisers are listed in the Ophthalmic Directory .

These are useful local sources of help and support if required.  Bigger units might wish to consider appointing an Associate-College-Tutor with whom duties may be shared.

Newly-appointed college tutors 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 College tutor and discuss the delivery and assessment of training. It will also give the opportunity to ask questions about College work and meet other College tutors.  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.

National Recruitment has been an important part of the work of the College for 10 years, revolutionising the way national recruitment takes place not only by providing an efficient system, but saving many hours of consultant time and impact on patient waiting lists as recruitment takes place in one place online.

Current volunteer role vacancies:

Recruitment Subcommittee Volunteer