An Overview of Opportunities in Cochrane

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The Cochrane network provides several opportunities to anyone interested in getting involved in Cochrane activities. These opportunities span Cochrane international mobility programs, Cochrane engagement platforms, Cochrane crowds, Cochrane training, and other Cochrane collaborations.

1. Cochrane International Mobility (CIM) Programme 

The CIM program offers placements at Cochrane centres, with opportunities for learning and training. The program is open to anyone interested in contributing to Cochrane’s work. Participants engage in activities related to the production, use, and knowledge translation of Cochrane reviews or non-Cochrane systematic reviews. Cochrane Sweden, Cochrane Croatia, Cochrane Italy, Cochrane Austria, Cochrane Switzerland, Cochrane Colombia, and Cochrane Argentina are among the Cochrane programs providing CIM programs. Placements can be in-person or virtual, with flexible durations from several weeks to several months. While most placements are self-funded, some may receive university funding, and accommodations or workspaces could be provided on some occasions. 

To apply: Directly contact the groups involved or monitor updates on Cochrane Exchange.

2. Cochrane Engage

Cochrane Engage serves as a platform connecting individuals in health evidence with anyone willing to contribute their time and skills. Opportunities range from full Cochrane or non-Cochrane systematic review involvement to specific tasks like peer reviews, language translations, consumer engagements, participation in PhD programs from Cochrane groups, and Cochrane Crowd activities. Contributors may receive acknowledgements, membership points, or co-authorship based on their level of contribution.

3. Cochrane Crowd

Cochrane Crowd is an online citizen science platform allowing anyone with an interest in health to contribute to health evidence. Volunteers who sign up in this platform assist health researchers in identifying and describing the research that may be very important in helping researchers to determine whether a treatment works, or whether a diagnostic test is accurate. This needs no prior experience - brief online training is given. Global screening challenges run for 24- or 48-hours, engaging participants from diverse countries simultaneously.

4. Cochrane training 

Cochrane Training provides various learning opportunities for individuals interested in systematic reviews and evidence synthesis. This includes online learning sessions, events like live webinars, guides and handbooks that cover Cochrane and Non-Cochrane systematic review methodology and processes. The first module is free. The other modules are behind a paywall, but Cochrane authors have access to all the resources.

5. Other opportunities: 

PhD opportunities 

There are some opportunities advertised in collaboration with Cochrane, for example PhD Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research in collaboration with the Cochrane International Mobility Programme (Cochrane Austria). This offers the opportunity for international exchange within the Cochrane Network.

Evidence synthesis related courses

There are different courses often advertised in relation to creating and understanding systematic reviews. Check out, for example, Cochrane Sweden and Cochrane Norway’s course pages. 

For more information contact Ishanka M.W. Rajapaksha Mudiyanselage or Kristine Berg Titlestad.