Plastic & Material Science Intern at WWF

Job description

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a  Plastic & Material Science Intern with demonstrated skills in technical writing, research and analysis, project management, and stakeholder engagement. The intern will work closely with members of WWF’s Private Sector Engagement department on the Plastic & Material Science team, specifically on projects related to biobased and biodegradable materials, alternative materials, and responsible feedstock sourcing.   WWF believes we need to reimagine how we source, design, reuse, and dispose of the plastic materials communities most depend on. We need holistic systems change that includes reduction, reuse, substitution of materials, recycling, and better waste management. To do this, we need to use less plastic, make the plastic that we do use better, and ensure that it gets used more than once—creating circularity. WWF’s approach to tackling global plastic pollution unites a global network of industry leaders, policymakers, and the public to transform our systems so the plastics we discard can become plastics we use again. The intern will support WWF's Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance efforts, where we are advancing thought leadership on responsibly sourced biobased plastic, so companies are equipped with the best science and sourcing practices as they shift to sustainable inputs for their new plastic needs.  This internship provides an opportunity to engage with business stakeholders, improve research, analysis, and project coordination skills in a professional setting, gain knowledge about supply chains and sourcing, corporate sustainability, public policy, and environmental issues, and contribute to WWF’s mission. The work will involve research, technical writing, and project management in support of programs that address plastic pollution.    Responsibilities   Support technical writing and content development for sustainability initiatives within the Plastic & Material Science team.  Conduct research and analysis on environmental performance, supply chain risks, and emerging trends related to materials and packaging.  Analyze alternative materials, product applications, and policy measures relevant to sustainable materials and plastics.  Contribute to project management and administrative coordination across team initiatives and partnerships.  Support stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration with internal and external partners.  Develop written materials and engagement assets by synthesizing technical information and aligning findings with WWF’s broader conservation mission.  Assist in planning and executing multi-stakeholder events, including coordination with external partners such as companies, NGOs, and WWF network offices.  Learning Outcomes   Develop project management and coordination skills through sustainability-focused initiatives and multi-stakeholder event planning.  Strengthen research and analytical abilities by assessing environmental performance and supply chain risks of recovered and biobased materials.  Enhance technical communication by producing reports, presentations, blogs, and other corporate engagement materials.  Gain exposure to corporate sustainability strategies and stakeholder engagement with companies, NGOs, and WWF offices.  Build foundational knowledge of environmental policy, circular economy, and commodity sourcing risks.  Experience professional collaboration in a mission-driven organization aligned with WWF’s core values of courage, respect, integrity, and collaboration.  Minimum Requirements:   Current student or recent graduate in a relevant field such as corporate sustainability, natural resources, material science, environmental science, or sustainable development are preferred; highly qualified undergraduate students may be considered. Those studying outside these areas are s