In 2019, Cochrane published an amended version of the review 'Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome’ and, at that time, announced an intention to further update the review. Due to insufficient new research in the field and a lack of resources to oversee this work, the update will not be proceeding.

Any feedback on this decision should follow Cochrane’s established complaints process. Any correspondence sent directly to individuals at Cochrane will not be considered.

Cochrane is part of a new global consortium to develop new tools, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), to analyse and synthesise research evidence on the relationships between climate change and human health.

The consortium is supported by a £10.2 million grant from Wellcome over four years, led by the Berlin-based climate research institute MCC.

The DESTINY project will develop novel AI-driven tools to make evidence synthesis faster, more efficient and continuously updated. The tools aim to automate and streamline tasks such as detecting relevant individual studies, extracting and synthesising their respective findings and identifying overarching insights.

As an internationally-recognised leader in evidence synthesis for human health, Cochrane will help to apply our methodological expertise to the field of climate research. We will co-lead several work programmes with the Campbell Collaboration, who specialize in evidence synthesis for social research.

It will be vital to ensure that outputs from automated tools are responsible and robust, with human oversight offering safeguards and methodological expertise. Cochrane will co-lead this workstream with Campbell, defining standards for responsible AI use and producing best-practice guidance. We will also help to ensure that the technology can be used equitably across the world, working with our extensive global network and consortium partners to build and strengthen capacity.

“Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to human health, so this project is both vital and timely,” says Dr Karla Soares-Weiser, Editor-in-Chief of the Cochrane Library and co-Principal Investigator on the DESTINY project. “It has the potential to transform evidence synthesis for climate and health, equipping decision-makers with the evidence they need to make informed decisions. Climate change is a key research priority in Cochrane’s scientific strategy, while methodological innovation is one of our core commitments. The DESTINY project will enable us to further these goals in collaboration with partners across the world, all bringing our own strengths to deliver the best outcomes.”

The project takes place in the context of a wider investment into evidence synthesis infrastructure, with £54.2 million of funding announced in September from both Wellcome and the UK government. The DESTINY grant is a separate award focused on climate change and health, signalling Wellcome’s leadership in this area.

“Stopping climate change is critical for securing human health,” says Jan Minx, head of the MCC working group Applied Sustainability Science and principal investigator of the DESTINY project. “Policymakers need the best and most recent scientific evidence to support their decisions, but the ready-to-hand evidence is often anecdotal and outdated. This project is pushing the boundaries of what is possible by using the latest advances in AI. It will demonstrate that the scientific knowledge needed for health-centred climate action can be synthesised and provided almost instantly. Speed and scientific rigour can go hand in hand – this is key to efficiently solving the big issues of our time.”

The consortium partners are Cochrane, University College London, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the ACRES Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis, Future Evidence Foundation, the African Synthesis Centre for Climate Change, Environment and Development, Effective Basic Services (eBase) Africa, the Campbell Collaboration. “Having a diverse community of partners will ensure equity and inclusion in global evidence infrastructures,” says Patrick Okwen, Co-Investigator from eBase Africa.

Title: Assistant Quality Assurance Editor
Specifications: Permanent – Full Time
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: (Remote) based in the UK, Germany or Denmark
Directorate: Evidence Production and Methods Directorate
Closing date: 17 December 2024

Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

As Assistant Quality Assurance Editor within Cochrane’s Editorial Department, you will provide support to the Quality Assurance Editor and Senior Quality Assurance Editor, to help them to assess whether protocols, reviews and updates submitted to Cochrane’s Central Editorial Service have met Cochrane’s methodological standards. The post holder will provide this support by gathering information on individual reviews (e.g., by performing initial checks on submitted reviews, identifying and accessing relevant papers, or performing consistency checks within the reviews), assisting with the write up of peer review reports, and helping the Quality Assurance Team to reach consensus on recommendations to make for each submission.

You will also be trained to conduct your own full assessments of protocols, reviews and updates submitted to Cochrane’s Central Editorial Service have met Cochrane’s methodological standards, with the possibility of moving up a level to the role of ‘Quality Assurance Editor’ at a future stage. 

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organisation is built on four core values:

Collaboration: Underpins everything we do, locally and globally.

Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format.

Integrity: Independent and transparent.

Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.

You can expect:

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally.
•   A flexible work environment
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences.
•  An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences.

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations, and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

•  For further information on the role and click “how to apply”.
• The deadline to receive your application is 17 December, 2024.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples.
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Title: Consumer Support Officer
Specifications: Fixed term contract (12 months) – Part time 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours)
Salary: £35,000 (pro-rata) per annum
Location: Remote working (UK office located in Central London)
Closing date: 11 December 2024
             
Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. We have 110,000+ members and supporters around the world. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into four directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, and Finance and Corporate Services.

The Consumer Support Officer will work closely with Cochrane’s Consumer Engagement Manager to support the involvement of consumers (patients, carers and the public) in the Welcome-funded GALENOS project, including in systematic reviews about mental health topics. Support of consumers in this work will involve connecting consumers with lived experience of mental health challenges to researchers, developing learning resources to support consumer involvement in systematic reviews, and generally promoting patient and public involvement in the systematic review space.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organisation is built on four core values:

Collaboration: Underpins everything we do, locally and globally.

Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format.

Integrity: Independent and transparent.

Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.

You can expect:

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally.
•   A flexible work environment
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences.
•  An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences.

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations, and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

•  For further information on the role and click “how to apply”.
• The deadline to receive your application is 11 December, 2024.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples.
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Title: Business Development Manager
Specifications: Permanent – Full time
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (UK office located in Central London)
Closing date:  3 January 2025

Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane has ambitious plans to raise funds to support our work to address the world’s most pressing health challenges. This role will work closely with the Head of Business Development to implement a strategic fundraising plan to make those ambitions a reality. 

We are seeking a self-starter; an experienced and energetic fundraiser with a proven track-record of successfully securing five and six figure gifts from a wide range of donors. You have experience of fundraising from global high-value trusts and foundations, as well as from government or multilateral donors (e.g. the European Union).   

You are an experienced donor account manager with excellent communication skills. You will promote best practice within your field of expertise and will work to ensure the highest quality and levels of efficiency. You are aligned with Cochrane’s core mission and vision, and you will be comfortable brokering relationships with representatives from key donors. 

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organisation is built on four core values:

Collaboration: Underpins everything we do, locally and globally.

Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format.

Integrity: Independent and transparent.

Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.

You can expect:

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally.
•   A flexible work environment
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences.
•  An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences.

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations, and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

•  For further information on the role and click “how to apply”.
• The deadline to receive your application is 3 January, 2025.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples.
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Cochrane has, for over 30 years, built a reputation for producing high-quality evidence syntheses that inform healthcare decisions worldwide. Cochrane reviews are recognized as one of the world’s most trusted sources of evidence, making them essential resources for healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, as well as patients and carers. 

A cornerstone of Cochrane’s work is its rigorous methodological approach. The methods employed by Cochrane are designed to ensure that the evidence synthesized is transparently and rigorously appraised. By defining and following best practices in evidence synthesis, Cochrane ensures its reviews not only meet high quality standards but also provide actionable insights for improving healthcare outcomes.  

At the center of this are Cochrane Methods, which play an essential role in guiding the production of these high-quality systematic reviews. The established clear standards and comprehensive guidelines that authors follow ensure thorough and transparent evidence synthesis. Cochrane’s educational resources, including the Cochrane Methodology Handbooks, webinars, and tutorials, also equip researchers and practitioners with the tools to apply these methods effectively.  

"Within Cochrane’s methods community, we are constantly learning from each other. From our Methods Groups who research and define best practice, to teams involved in implementation, and the commitment of authors and editors in adhering to the standards, everyone brings something valuable to the table. The community Cochrane has built is one of collaboration and shared knowledge, and with the commitment to innovate in methods in Cochrane’s new Scientific Strategy, we are excited to see what comes next."

-  Ella Flemyng, Head of Editorial Policy and Research Integrity

To support and strengthen these efforts, Cochrane draws on the expertise of the Cochrane Methods Network, which consists of 18 specialized Methods Groups. Each group focuses on a specific method or review type relevant to Cochrane reviews. They are involved in methods research, defining best practice and supporting implementation in Cochrane.   

“My favourite thing about Cochrane is the opportunity to collaborate with folks from across the globe with a shared purpose of advancing systematic review methods to improve patient care.”

- Tahira Devji, Patient-Reported Outcomes Methods Group

Cochrane's Scientific Strategy 2025–2030 underscores the commitment to methodological innovation in evidence synthesis. Areas of key focus include methods adaptation as we diversify our reviews and included evidence, living evidence, and the potential integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into evidence synthesis processes.  

As the pace of new research accelerates, keeping systematic reviews up-to-date with the latest evidence has become increasingly vital. Cochrane is at the forefront of this evolution with our leadership in living systematic reviews —a dynamic approach that ensures evidence remains current and relevant. This innovation aligns closely with the Wellcome Trust's recent announcement of a £45 million investment to accelerate "living evidence synthesis" and emphasizes our commitment to providing the most current, reliable evidence to inform healthcare decisions. By keeping evidence up to date, healthcare professionals and policymakers can make informed decisions based on the most relevant and timely information. Cochrane’s focus on living evidence not only enhances the impact of our work but also shows our proactive response to the changing needs of modern healthcare. 

A key element in pioneering evidence synthesis methodology is the integration of AI.  By automating time-consuming tasks such as data extraction, analysis, and even the synthesis of findings, AI could help streamline the review process, allowing researchers to focus on interpreting results and making informed recommendations. AI tools could help make the synthesis of large datasets more efficient, ensuring that healthcare professionals have access to comprehensive, timely evidence.  However, these advancements also emphasize the importance of maintaining ethical standards and ensuring that AI applications in evidence synthesis remain transparent and accountable. To ensure the responsible use of AI, Cochrane is collaborating with other evidence synthesis organizations and actively engaging with stakeholders and the research community to establish best practices. 

Looking ahead, Cochrane’s focus on continuous improvement, collaboration, and methodological excellence will remain key to its mission of improving health outcomes worldwide. 

Join us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X as we celebrate Cochrane Methods Week, 18-22 November 2024! This week is dedicated to showcasing the robust methodologies that underpin Cochrane’s trusted evidence and exploring innovations shaping the future of evidence synthesis. Participate by following our accounts and using the hashtag #CochraneMethods to join the conversation and ask questions

• Monday 18 Nov - Cochrane Methods Groups Discover the areas of expertise within Cochrane Methods Groups and their vital contributions to evidence synthesis methods.
• Tuesday 19 Nov - Resources and Training Explore Cochrane’s wide range of resources and training opportunities.
• Wednesday 20 Nov - Cochrane Handbooks Learn how Cochrane Handbooks uphold methodological rigour and guide the production of high-quality evidence.
• Thursday 21 Nov - Interactive Day Let's pause for some fun! Engage with quizzes, polls, and other fun activities to test your knowledge of Cochrane Methods.
• Friday 22 November - Looking Ahead Explore how Cochrane continues to innovate methodology and find out how you can get involved in Cochrane’s methodological work and the publishing process.