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.
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: 22 March.
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.
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: 22 March.
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: One
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: 22 March.
Interviews will be held on the afternoon of Monday 9 March.
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: 22 March.
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: 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 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: 22 March.
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: Two
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: 22 March.
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. We have 3 vacancies:
Position: Honorary Treasurer
Role description: Honorary Treasurer volunteer description
Start date: May 2026
Term: 3 years
The role is responsible for overseeing the College’s financial framework, ensuring effective systems of control, regulatory compliance, and alignment with best practice in financial management. The postholder will work closely with the Chair of Finance and Risk Committee, staff, colleagues and external organisations to ensure the current and future sustainability of the organisation and compliance with external requirements.
Position: Chair of Finance and Risk Committee
Role description: Chair of Finance and Risk Committee volunteer description
Start date: May 2026
Term: 3 years, renewable once for an additional 3 years (maximum 6)
The role of the Chair of Finance and Risk Committee (FRC) is to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the College’s financial governance, working in close partnership with the Honorary Treasurer to ensure robust financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.
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 any of these exciting opportunities, please complete the volunteer application form. Please also feel free to email Mariann Peters [email protected] if you have any questions.
Closing date: 22 March.