River Waste Management Internship

Join The Ocean Cleanup

MISSION TO METRICS
The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop and scale advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. In the Rivers team, we aim to prevent floating plastic from entering the oceans via the most polluted rivers in the world.  

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented intern to support our waste management initiatives by analyzing waste composition data from various river clean-up projects. The goal of this internship is to understand and compare waste composition across different projects and propose effective waste management solutions. As an intern, you will work closely with the River Waste Management team to refine data analysis methodologies and improve the accuracy of waste composition estimates, contributing to a critical aspect of responsible waste management for river clean-up projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyze existing waste composition data from multiple river clean-up initiatives.
• Categorize and quantify different types of waste materials based on provided datasets following our sampling protocol.
• Compare waste composition between different projects to identify patterns and trends.
• Research and propose responsible waste management and disposal strategies based on findings.
• Collaborate with the River Waste Management team to improve data interpretation methodologies and refine the sampling protocol.
• Prepare reports and presentations summarizing key insights and recommendations.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled in a degree program in Environmental Science, Waste Management, Sustainability, or a related field.
• Familiarity with waste sampling techniques and statistical methodologies.
• Knowledge of waste categorization and management principles.
• Understanding of environmental regulations related to waste management.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, GIS, or similar software) is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluent in English.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, and eager to learn.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Interest in environmental sustainability and waste reduction practices.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Starting date: As soon as possible
• Duration: 6 months, part-time or full-time
• Work permit needed: European Union
• Note that the candidate needs to be enrolled at a University (MSc program) during the duration of the internship
• At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe we are stronger together, while harnessing the uniqueness each individual brings. That is why we take a fair, equal opportunity, and transparent approach to hiring and welcome special needs requests.

Curious to hear how it is to work at The Ocean Cleanup? Listen to our team members explain their work in our podcast.