Get involved at the College: volunteer roles

We could not function without the dedication of our members and supporters who take up volunteer roles. Our volunteers actively contribute to our collective mission to advance the science and practice of pathology, and to deliver the best patient care possible.

Around 10% of members are involved in our work across a diverse range of activities. Your expertise is vital in supporting the delivery of the College’s key services, from training the next generation of pathologists, to setting the standards of care across the profession and sharing your knowledge as a subject matter expert. Volunteering is also a fantastic way to build up your CPD portfolio with diverse and interesting activities. 

To join us, please see below for some of the current opportunities. This list is not exhaustive, so if there is a particular area that you would like to work in, please get in touch with the corresponding team. 

You can restrict opportunities by your membership class, location and specialty using the right-hand filter. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of staff, please head over to our College vacancies page. 

College vacancies

15 opportunities

• President of the Royal College of Pathologists – nominations now open

  Closing date: 06 February 2026

  Nominations are now open for President of the Royal College of Pathologists a unique opportunity to provide visible leadership for the profession in the UK and internationally, and to influence healthcare across the NHS and beyond.

• Chair, Neuropathology Specialty Advisory Committee

  Closing date: 09 February 2026

  Apply for the role of Chair of the Neuropathology SAC

• Trainees' Advisory Committee Representatives

  Closing date: 13 February 2026

  We are looking for enthusiastic trainees to join the Trainees’ Advisory Committee

• Member, Northern Ireland Regional Council

  Closing date: 23 February 2026

  Applications are now invited from Fellows for posts of Northern Ireland Regional Council Member, taking up office immediately until the Annual General Meeting, November 2029. There are currently 5 vacancies.

• Member, Scotland Regional Council

  Closing date: 23 February 2026

  Applications are now invited from Fellows for posts of Scotland Regional Council Member, taking up office immediately until the Annual General Meeting, November 2029.

• Member, Wales Regional Council

  Closing date: 23 February 2026

  Applications are now invited from Fellows for posts of Wales Regional Council Member, taking up office immediately until the Annual General Meeting, November 2029. There are currently 5 vacancies.

• Trainee Representative, Northern Ireland Regional Council (Medical only)

  Closing date: 23 February 2026

  Applications are now invited from Trainees (Medical only) for posts of Northern Ireland Regional Council Trainee Representative (Medical), taking up office immediately for a period of 3 years from the date of appointment or until CCT is attained. There is currently 1 vacancy.

• Trainee Representative, Scotland Regional Council

  Closing date: 23 February 2026

  This is an exciting opportunity for on trainee (medical) in any Pathology discipline in Scotland to represent trainee pathologists on the Royal College of Pathologists Scotland Regional Council in the capacity of a Trainee Representative.

• Audit evaluator

  Become an audit evaluator and play a key role in the certification of high-quality clinical audits

• College assessors for medical appointment committees

  Support the employment of consultant pathologists across the country by becoming a College assessor on a medical appointment committee

• FRCPath examination: Examiner

  Become an examiner for the FRCPath examinations

• FRCPath Examination: Item writer

  Become an item writer for the FRCPath examinations

• FRCPath Examination: Senior examiner

  Become a senior examiner for the FRCPath examinations

• NICE consultation advisors in haematology

  Become an advisor for NICE consultations and help to improve patient care and safety in pathology.

• Portfolio Pathway assessors

  Become a Portfolio Pathway Assessor to ensure that the relevant knowledge, skills and experience are maintained as the decision to recommend an entry onto the GMC Specialist Register will allow the applicant to be eligible for appointment to a substantive consultant post in the NHS.