Internship – research & outreach on climate policy

The Integrated Climate Impacts (ICI) Research Group within the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Program is looking for an intern (16 - 20 hours/week) to be part of our Stakeholder Engagement team to support on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and overshoot as part of the RESCUE project.

The role

This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of science, policy, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on advancing research and dialogue around CDR methods. The student will support the team with the organization of the Overshoot Conference in Laxenburg, a policy round-table event in Brussels, a COP side event and several online event such as webinars and meetings. Furthermore, we aim to visualize some of the RESCUE data in an online tool. The student can support the design and content presentation. The position provides first-hand insights into state-of-the-art climate science on climate overshoot, reversibility of impacts and carbon dioxide removal and respectively its importance for climate policy.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Support the team with developing stakeholder engagement processes.
Support the organization of the Overshoot Conference (30 SEP – 2 OCT 2025)
Take up organizational tasks for in-person and online events.
Communicate with a set of various stakeholders.
Report layout and formatting.
Support the design and feedback of online tool data provision.
Depending on skills and interest, small content tasks can be given, such as literature review and contributions to policy briefs.

Qualifications and skills

Currently enrolled in Bachelor's or Master's degree course in Austria.
Excellent English writing and verbal skills.
Basic German skills are welcome, but not required.
Strong communication and intercultural skills.
Strong organizational skills, adaptability, and willingness to travel for work-related activities.
Interest in climate science, particularly carbon dioxide removal and climate policy.
Experience with online tools such as Miro, and webinar tools is an asset.
Knowledge of or an interest in climate science, with an understanding of CDR methods considered an asset.

Appointment terms

The successful candidate should be available to take up the position in June 2025. We offer a fixed-term, part-time (up to 20 hours per week) for a 9 months appointment.

The place of work is at IIASA in Laxenburg, near Vienna in Austria (home office working options available).

We offer

The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global wellbeing.
The opportunity to deepen and improve knowledge and scientific profile.
An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas.
An student salary of EUR 9,066.00 per annum for a 20-hour week (based on a full-time salary of EUR 18,132.00). IIASA salaries are exempt from income tax in Austria but subject to deductions for social security.

About IIASA

IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce. This is reflected in our IIASA core values and the IIASA Gender Equality Plan (GEP). We encourage qualified candidates from all religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply. In the case that candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to applicants from countries where IIASA has a Member Organization.

Further information

For further information about this opportunity please contact:

Inga Menke, Senior Research Scholar, ICI Research Group

For general information about working at IIASA, contact recruitment@iiasa.ac.at