Internship – Legal

Internship Opportunity at The Ocean Cleanup

The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop and scale technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. This internship provides an opportunity to contribute towards this ambitious goal by supporting the Legal team’s daily operations and enhancing legal skills in a dynamic environment.

Internship offerings include practical educational work experience, deepening of legal knowledge, monthly compensation, and free healthy lunches at our office.

Responsibilities

During this internship, gain firsthand experience by closely collaborating with all members of the Legal department. Involve yourself in various tasks such as:

• Supporting the team in implementing and utilizing the new Document Management System (DMS).
• Handling simple legal inquiries from other departments and escalating when necessary.
• Supporting the digital and physical filing of agreements.
• Assisting in reviewing documents and contracts.
• Aiding with registration processes at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK).
• Organizing meetings and events related to the Legal department.
• Providing administrative support for intellectual property and insurance portfolios.
• Assisting with implementing a Contract Lifecycle Management tool and coordinating with internal stakeholders.
• Assessing camera use and data privacy measures for protection and sharing with third parties.
• Notetaking during departmental meetings and following up on action items.

Additionally, there are opportunities to assist the Director of Legal and Public Affairs with tasks essential for the smooth operation of the Legal team, providing valuable exposure to daily responsibilities.

Professional Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a law degree (third-year bachelor's or higher) - this requirement applies to non-EU candidates.
• Interest in legal topics relevant to the organization (e.g., maritime law, patents, trademarks, GDPR).
• Prior experience with SharePoint and/or Salesforce is desirable.
• Excellent proficiency in English (written and verbal); Dutch or Spanish is desirable.

Personal Qualifications

• Curious and eager to learn
• Pragmatic, yet thorough
• Team player with cultural awareness
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, international environment
• Capacity to work both independently and as part of a team
• Intrinsic motivation to contribute towards an ambitious, meaningful goal

Application Requirements

Prospective applicants should submit:

• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• A transcript of academic records or statement of academic results
• An academic writing sample (essay or paper excerpt in English)
• At least one letter of recommendation

Submit all documents as one PDF file.

Additional Details

• Candidates are expected to be available 32 hours/week throughout the internship duration.
• Candidates should work from the Rotterdam HQ at least 3 days a week.
• If applicable, the internship can be combined with a Master's thesis project.
• Internship duration: Minimum of 6 months, with possible extension
• Starting date: From 1 November 2025
• Work permit needed: European Union
• The Ocean Cleanup is committed to fair, equal, and transparent hiring processes and welcomes special needs requests.