Plastic & Material Science Intern

Plastic & Material Science Intern

World Wildlife Fund Plastic & Material Science Internship: A Paid Conservation Opportunity

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is offering a paid Plastic & Material Science Internship paying $21–$23 per hour. The six-month opportunity provides experience in sustainable materials, bioplastics, circular economy and environmental research. US work authorisation is required.

World Wildlife Fund Plastic & Material Science Internship: A Paid Conservation Opportunity About World Wildlife Fund Internship Overview

Key Responsibilities

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• Learning Outcomes

• Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements

• WWF’s Core Values

• Compensation and Work Arrangement

• About World Wildlife Fund

• Founded in 1961, World Wildlife Fund is a global conservation organisation working to help people and nature thrive. It operates in more than 100 countries and collaborates with communities, companies and governments to protect wildlife, conserve important habitats and advance sustainable solutions.

• WWF’s work is grounded in science and collaboration. Its conservation priorities include protecting biodiversity, supporting resilient communities and addressing climate change. The organisation has nearly one million members in the United States and more than five million members globally.

• Through its Private Sector Engagement department, WWF works with businesses and other stakeholders to encourage more sustainable practices. The Plastic & Material Science team contributes to efforts to rethink how materials are sourced, designed, reused and disposed of, with the aim of reducing plastic pollution and supporting circular systems.

• Internship Overview

• The Plastic & Material Science Intern will support research, technical writing, project coordination and stakeholder engagement activities. The position will focus particularly on biobased plastics, biodegradable materials, alternative materials and responsible feedstock sourcing.

• WWF recognises that addressing plastic pollution requires changes across the entire materials lifecycle. These changes include reducing unnecessary plastic use, improving the materials that remain in use, encouraging reuse and recycling, and strengthening waste management systems.

• The organisation promotes a circular approach in which plastic materials are used more than once rather than discarded after a single use. Through its Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance, WWF also works to advance knowledge and responsible sourcing practices for biobased plastics, helping businesses make more informed decisions as they shift towards sustainable inputs.

• The intern will contribute to these initiatives by researching environmental performance, examining supply chain risks and helping communicate technical findings to business stakeholders and other partners.

Key Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will support several activities within the Plastic & Material Science team.

• 1. Research and technical writing

• The intern will conduct research and analysis on the environmental performance of materials, supply chain risks and emerging trends in packaging and sustainable materials. They will also help prepare technical reports, presentations, blogs and other written content for sustainability initiatives.

• 2. Analysis of alternative materials

• The role will involve examining alternative materials, product applications and policy measures relevant to sustainable plastics and packaging. This research will contribute to WWF’s work on biobased and biodegradable materials and responsible feedstock sourcing.

• 3. Project management and coordination

• The intern will assist with administrative and project coordination across team initiatives and partnerships. This may include tracking activities, organising information and supporting the delivery of sustainability-focused projects.

• 4. Stakeholder engagement

• The successful candidate will support collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including companies, non-governmental organisations and WWF network offices. The role will provide exposure to business engagement and corporate sustainability initiatives.

• 5. Events and partnership support

• The intern will assist in planning and implementing multi-stakeholder events. Responsibilities may include coordinating with external partners and supporting activities that bring together organisations working on sustainable materials and plastic pollution.

• Learning Outcomes

• The internship is designed to provide practical experience in conservation-related research and corporate sustainability.

Through the assignment, the intern will have opportunities to:

• Develop project management and coordination skills through sustainability initiatives and multi-stakeholder events.

• Strengthen research and analytical abilities by examining the environmental performance and supply chain risks of recovered and biobased materials.

• Improve technical communication through reports, presentations, blogs and corporate engagement materials.

• Gain exposure to corporate sustainability strategies and stakeholder engagement.

• Build foundational knowledge of environmental policy, circular economy principles and commodity sourcing risks.

• Experience professional collaboration within a mission-driven conservation organisation.

• The position may be particularly valuable to individuals interested in the relationship between business practices, materials science, environmental protection and sustainable development.

• Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements

WWF is seeking applicants who are currently enrolled students or recent graduates in relevant academic fields. Preferred areas of study include:

• Corporate Sustainability

• Natural Resources

• Material Science

• Environmental Science

• Sustainable Development

• Highly qualified undergraduate students may also be considered. Candidates studying other disciplines are encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate relevant skills and interest.

• Applicants must be available to work 35 hours per week for six months.

Additional requirements include:

• Strong research and analytical skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Good attention to detail and time-management abilities.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

• Willingness to learn new digital platforms.

• Fluency in English.

• Previous experience managing research projects, engaging external collaborators or working with environmental and corporate sustainability issues is preferred. Knowledge of circular systems, biobased plastics, alternative materials, agriculture, forestry and climate issues will also be an advantage.

• WWF’s Core Values

• WWF expects its interns to identify with and demonstrate the organisation’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.

• Courage: Speaking up when necessary and taking action to support meaningful change.

• Integrity: Acting transparently, accepting accountability and using facts and science to guide decisions.

• Respect: Valuing the voices, knowledge and perspectives of different people and communities.

• Collaboration: Working cooperatively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• These values guide how WWF works with its employees, partners