Intern, Data Analysis, Resource Watch, University of Chicago

WRI Overview 

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 critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. 

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 and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.   

Resource Watch Overview 

The intern will work on WRI’s Resource Watch, a high impact initiative to improve how we analyze, visualize, and share data to advance sustainable development. Resource Watch provides trusted and timely data for a sustainable future. The platform facilitates data discovery and visualization for over 300 datasets at the intersection of diverse environmental and social issues. Resource Watch sits in the Research, Data, and Innovation team, which promotes high quality standards in WRI’s research, ensures cohesion across programs and offices, and leads open data and information into action initiatives across the Institute.   

 Internship Summary 

You will join a team of highly motivated individuals, including members of WRI’s senior leadership, to support the development and management of Resource Watch.  You will be expected to learn quickly on the job and will gain experience with working with scripting, data documentation and analysis, and geospatial visualizations.  

Learning Outcomes 

• You will gain experience in writing python scripts to:  
• Investigate data on the Resource Watch platform and conduct analyses to highlight key facts from datasets in order to support agenda-setting blogs.    
• Upload geospatial data to the Resource Watch platform. 
• Clearly document all analysis to publish with the blog and support transparency and replicability in research. 
• In addition, you will gain experience in:  
• Creating custom data visualizations in Vega. 
• Obtaining information from APIs. 
• Investigating recent scientific publications and determining new data to add to the Resource Watch platform. 
• Working on GitHub to transparently store all scripts. 
• Conducting one in-depth data analysis of ocean or power data, or in a subject of interest.    

Internship Qualifications 

• University Sponsored: You must be a student currently enrolled in the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago returning for Fall 2021. 
• Experience with geospatial analysis, especially Google Earth Engine, QGIS, or ArcGIS  
• Programming experience in Python, and familiarity with Pandas and GDAL, or a willingness to learn  
• Expertise in environmental science and sustainable development   
• Excellent quantitative skills and a high degree of comfort working with data and web technologies  
• A self-motivated learner with a willingness takes on new challenges as required  
• Highly organized and attentive to detail  

General Internship Requirements 

• Applicants must have personal health insurance coverage.  
• US work authorization is required for this opportunity. WRI does not sponsor interns for visas. 

Compensation  

• University Sponsored: Students will receive compensation from their university program.   

Duration and Location  

• This is a full-time summer internship with start date options of May 17, June 1, or June 16, 2021 based on the student’s availability and need for the project.   
• This is a remote-based internship with the option to work out of the Washington D.C. office once it reopens.    
• WRI will provide a laptop for the duration of your internship. 

How to Apply 

Please submit a resume and cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. 

The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI’s policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.