About the Program

The Ross Center for Sustainable Cities (https://www.wri.org/cities) builds on WRI’s global and local experience in urban planning and mobility and uses proven solutions and action-oriented tools to make the fast-growing urban environment more resilient to new challenges. Our heat resilience efforts, including the Data for Cool Cities (https://www.wri.org/initiatives/data-cool-cities) initiative and the Heat and Health in Brazilian Cities project (https://www.wri.org/initiatives/heat-and-health-brazilian-cities), aim to combat the effects of extreme heat in urban areas. Cities are home to most of the world’s population, and urban heat exposure is an increasingly deadly phenomenon resulting from from complex interactions between social, physical, and climatic systems. The Global Cities Data & Tools team is mapping the potential for heat-resilient infrastructure like street trees and cool roofs and identifying opportunities to improve health outcomes during heat events. The research results will provide insights both globally and for partner cities that inform future efforts to document the connections between extreme temperatures and public health.

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC Office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

What you will do:

You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work. In this role you will support our work on extreme heat and human health across Latin America, Europe, and Africa by conducting research on ways in which urban heat impacts health and well-being. You will collaborate with climate researchers to examine literature from science, policy, and planning on different kinds of heat-health measurement, ways to understand heat resilience, and best practices in preparing for extreme heat. Your primary tasks will include:

• Comparing methods of measuring heat-health connections in diverse geographic contexts.

• Surveying scientific and policy literature on heat resilience in 4 partner cities.

• Investigating effective heat preparation and mitigation strategies.

You will be supported by the Global Cities Data & Tools team and will report to Dr. Ruth Engel.

Internship Learning Outcomes:

• Conduct independent research on measuring and communicating heat-health resilience.

• Analyze environmental health policies and systems in 4 partner cities, supported by local documents and data.

• Produce written reports and present recommendations to WRI’s urban heat research community at their quarterly symposium.

What you will need:

• Pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• Proficiency in academic research and writing.
• Experience working with qualitative and quantitative sources.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Interest in environmental health or urban climate adaptation.
• Knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish preferred but not required.

 

Compensation

The pay for this internship opportunity is$20/hourfor undergrads; $22/hour for graduates and $24/hour for PhD students.

Length of Contract:

This is a full-time, 3-month internship with a flexible start and end date.

Location:

• This is a hybrid internship that will be based out of our Washington D.C. office.

• You will be required to work in the Washington DC office at least 8 days per month.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by March 18, 2025. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Internships at WRI are learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, and other candidates who wish to gain knowledge about a specific area of our work. We strive to attract diverse, intellectually driven candidates who have a passion for sustainability and development. WRI provides many internship opportunities throughout the year in all our programs.

WRI is committed to advancing gender, racial, and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

 

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission, including equal opportunities inemployment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

 

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.

 

 

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