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 Data for Cool Cities (https://www.wri.org/initiatives/data-cool-cities) initiative aims to combat extreme heat in urban areas. Not only is heat magnified in cities due to the urban heat island effect, cities also are home to most of the world’s population, and vulnerability to heat arises from complex interactions between social, physical, and climatic systems. The Global Cities Data & Tools team is mapping complex features—like building height and pavement material—to model the variation of urban heat within neighborhoods. By providing innovative data, enabling insights, and promoting sustainable infrastructure choices, this project seeks to improve urban livability, encourage effective governance, and enhance equity.

In this role you will work to support two data initiatives: mapping global urban land use and land cover (LULC) and modeling urban air temperature. You will collaborate with geospatial data scientists to validate WRI’s new LULC dataset and to build a network of geographic data in support of urban air temperature models. You will be supported by the Global Cities Data & Tools team and will report to Drs. Ruth Engel and Elizabeth Wesley.

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

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

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by March 7, 2024. Applicants mustapply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

About Us: Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

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.