Everyone deserves access to safe, high-quality medicines, dietary supplements and foods. USP Expert Volunteers play a critical role in helping to ensure that’s possible. With a range of scientific, academic, and professional backgrounds, our Expert Volunteers collaborate with other scientific leaders on solutions that have a real and lasting impact by shaping and setting USP quality standards and solutions that safeguard and advance global public health.

Share your scientific, professional and real-world insights to help find solutions to current and emerging health challenges. Submit your application to become a USP Expert Volunteer and amplify your impact.

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Welcome to Be an Expert Volunteer

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The standard of trust

USP is an independent, scientific nonprofit organization that, for over 200 years, has worked to build trust where it matters most: in the world's medicines, dietary supplements and foods. Through our rigorous science and public quality standards, USP helps protect patient safety and improve the health of people around the world.

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Volunteers are the lifeblood of USP

The work of USP Expert Volunteers is the basis for the trust and reliance manufacturers, practitioners and regulatory bodies around the world have in USP's mission to ensure the quality of medicines, dietary supplements and foods.

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Better solutions need diverse perspectives

We know that diverse perspectives result in better problem solving and more innovative outcomes. To ensure that our solutions reflect input from many different points of view, USP is seeking Expert Volunteers with diverse personal experiences and professional backgrounds from around the globe – to make USP’s science and quality standards stronger.

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FAQs

Who are our Expert Volunteers?

A hallmark of USP’s standards is that they are determined by independent scientific experts. USP Expert Volunteers are selected based on their individual expertise and experience and use their best personal, professional, and scientific judgment to work collaboratively on setting standards. USP Expert Volunteers must agree to disclose conflicts of interest and to uphold standards of conduct that preserve the integrity of the standard setting process.

Who Can Apply

Pharmaceutical scientists, academicians, regulatory professionals, healthcare practitioners, and others who work with medicines and foods are invited to apply.

Can I apply if I work for a regulatory government agency in the USA or any other country?

Employees of regulatory government agencies may participate in USP’s standards-setting activities in two ways. First, they may serve as government liaisons (GL), representing the interests of their agency. Second, if their agency permits, they may become USP Expert Volunteers, acting as independent experts and adhering to USP’s Standards of Conduct. You should apply to become a USP Volunteer only if your agency permits you to serve in this role. Please note that FDA employees are required to serve only as GLs. If you are interested in serving as a GL, please contact uspvolunteers@usp.org.

How do I apply? [With Guide]

Explore current volunteer opportunities in diverse focus areas that support USP's mission to build trust and provide access to quality medicines, dietary supplements and foods around the world. For step-by-step guide please refer to the Expert Volunteer Application Guide [UKG].

How can I apply to volunteer with USP?

USP launches a formal recruitment for expert volunteers in preparation for the start of a new 5-year volunteer cycle for 2025 to 2030. During this time, interested parties can apply to become members of USP’s Expert Collaborative Groups. As part of the selection process, USP’s Council of Experts, the body that oversees USP’s scientific and standards-setting decisions, elects qualified candidates to serve as Expert Committee members. The application for Be an Expert Volunteer is now open. 

How does USP demonstrate its commitment to diversity and inclusion?

At USP, we value inclusivity for all. From the standards we create, to the partnerships we build, to the conversations we foster, we affirm the crucial value of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in building a world where everyone can be confident of quality in health and healthcare. The successful volunteer candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of our mission, and a commitment to excellence through inclusive and equitable behaviors and practices. We especially welcome applications from those who hold historically marginalized and/or underrepresented identities.

What are the benefits of volunteering with USP?

1. Making an impact

By helping to develop and update USP standards, you will impact the quality of medicines, dietary supplements, and foods available to people everywhere

As a member of an Expert Committee, your support and leadership will contribute to advancing global public health by helping to improve and sustain developing healthcare systems around the world.

2. Collaborating to develop standards

You will collaborate with an international team of influential scientists, healthcare practitioners, industry experts, academics, consumer advocates and regulators to address public health challenges

In cooperation with representatives of government agencies, you will contribute to the development and revision of USP standards, which are legally recognized in the US and used in 150 other countries

3. Advancing quality

As a USP volunteer, you will be part of a safety net across the food, drug and dietary supplement industries, establishing standards to help ensure products are of the highest quality from the time of manufacture to the moment of consumption

Your personal, professional and scientific insight will help find solutions to emerging health concerns as well as help build awareness and reduce the risk of inconsistent and substandard medicines, foods and dietary supplements.

What are the eligibility criteria for USP volunteers?

Academic, Industrial, or Regulatory Experience:

Whether you are new to the field or have seasoned expertise, USP welcomes expert volunteers with academic, industrial, or regulatory backgrounds.

Having experience in these areas enhances your ability to contribute effectively.

 

Regulatory Knowledge:

Understanding of global and U.S. regulatory processes is valuable.

Familiarity with regulations helps you actively participate in USP’s standards-setting process.

 

Interest in USP’s Mission:

Expert Volunteers should share a passion for improving global public health. o USP’s mission

revolves around enhancing the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines and food ingredients.

 

Ability to act as an independent expert

As a volunteer you must agree to conflict of interest disclosure rules and other standards of conduct

The USP Standards of Conduct brochure describes what is expected of you

 

Willingness to Engage in Robust Discussions:

As an Expert volunteer, you will be part of discussions on current trends and issues affecting public healthcare.

Be prepared to contribute your insights and engage in meaningful conversations

 

English Proficiency as the Working Language

While USP operates primarily in English, our Expert Volunteers come from all over the world and speak multiple languages. While most LIVE business meetings are conducted in English, much of the work for the Expert Scientist includes reading, reviewing, and writing in Technical English. Proficiency in written English is required.Effective verbal communication may be facilitated by technology and written pre-read materials. Therefore, we appreciate and encourage your application even if English is not your native spoken language, but you are proficient in reading and writing in Technical English. For more information on English Proficiency requirements, please refer to this link.

How long is the application open?

The recruitment window will close as following:

December 2024 for Chair positions

March 2025 for Member positions

All applicants indicated interest in serving as Expert Panel and/or Advisor during the application process will be considered for those roles after September 2025 when new expert committees are fully established & their workplans are finalized.