Internships
Applications for Semester 1, 2024 are now closed
Our team offers multiple internship opportunities per semester, giving students direct experience working to implement sustainability on campus. Interns are responsible for developing a sustainability themed project(s) over the course of a semester or summer term.
Why intern with the Sustainability Team?
- Get real-world work experience on a sustainability project by interning with the Sustainability and Campus Management team.
- Give students a meaningful experience in a professional setting.
- Internships support the implementation and continuous improvement of sustainability-based projects.
- All students receive course credit for their contributions through a University-endorsed subject.
To apply, you must adhere to the following:
- Roles are unpaid and must be completed as part of direct learning through a University of Melbourne internship subject.
- Proof of enrolment is required prior to commencing placement. Internship durations are flexible based on internship subject requirements.
- Interns are expected to attend the office near the Parkville Campus around two days per week during the semester with the flexibility to supplement placement hours remotely.
Work restrictions for student visa holders
- The government has made a change to the work rights attached to student visas.
- As a result, international students can only work up to 48 hours per fortnight.
- Therefore, at present, international students can plan for and work for only 24 hours per week as part of their internship.
Available positions
To apply, please fill in the application form. You will be asked to upload your CV as part of the application to demonstrate your skills. Applications close by 23.59pm Monday 12 February 2024.
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Data Analyst Intern (Energy)
Internship description
The University consumes approximately 120 GWh of electricity per annum and 300 TJ of gas per annum. The Energy Analyst intern role will support Campus Management in establishing ongoing trends in energy usage across University assets, buildings, and campuses.
Successful candidates will assist in consolidating and utilising large data sets to forecast energy use and map the University’s complex energy infrastructure. Furthermore, the candidate will also assist in the measurement and verification of energy efficiency projects to understand whether projects are performing as anticipated.
This role will provide a student with the opportunity to apply their data analysis, report writing and interpersonal skills to assist the University in key energy use decisions.
Roles and responsibilities
- Ongoing analysis of energy data (forecasting)
- Consolidation and mapping of large unfractured energy data sets
- Measurement and verification of energy efficiency projects
- Drafting of summary reports
- Active programming of workflow
Key selection criteria
- Strong data analysis and machine learning skills
- Experience in Excel and Python (Pandas, Scikit-learn, etc.)
- PowerBI (or similar software) for data visualisation is desirable
- High level of written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent time management and organisation
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to operate independently and be self-motivated
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Smart Campus Energy Upgrades Intern
Internship description
The University consumes approximately 120 GWh of electricity per annum. The Smart Campus Energy Upgrades Program (SCEU) aims to reduce the University’s ongoing electricity and carbon footprint through delivery of efficiency and generation projects. The SCEU focusses on retrofitting existing University building stock as opposed to new-build assets. The SCEU covers numerous technology workstreams including: LED lighting, chiller upgrades and building optimisation, solar PV, fume cupboard replacement, BMS recalibration, energy storage and building envelope improvements. During their intern placement the student will work with the SCEU team to scope and deliver a variety of projects across a multitude of University buildings as well as campuses.
This role will provide a student with an opportunity to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting existing built space to improve energy efficiency and carbon footprint and enables being part of a team that play an important role in enabling the University to achieve their Sustainability Plan targets: (i) Carbon Neutral by 2025, and (ii) Climate Positive by 2030.
Roles and responsibilities
- Ongoing analysis of UoM energy usage data to identify energy savings opportunities
- Analysing financial returns of proposed energy efficiency / renewable energy generation projects to determine feasibility
- Identifying new and emerging technologies for reducing building energy and emissions footprints
- Engaging with external consultants and experts
- Drafting of internal recommendation and approval reports
Key selection criteria
- An interest in sustainability especially within the built environment
- Strong data analysis skills (Excel)
- Computer literacy including Microsoft Office
- Excellent time management and organization
- High level of written and verbal communication
- Acute attention to detail
- Public speaking and presentation experience
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to operate independently and be self-motivated
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Electrification Program Intern
Internship description
The University consumes approximately 300 TJ of gas per annum and under the Sustainability Plan 2030 has committed to transitioning away from the use of natural gas. The Electrification Program aims to reduce the University’s gas consumption through the active replacement of gas assets with an (electrical) alternative across University buildings and campuses.
This role will provide a student with an opportunity to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of electrifying buildings and will be part of a team that play an important role in enabling the University to achieve their Sustainability Plan targets: (i) Carbon Neutral by 2025, and (ii) Climate Positive by 2030.
Roles and responsibilities
- Ongoing analysis of data and industry trends to establish the feasibility of electrifying assets/buildings
- Review and summarising of external Consultant reports
- Assistance in the development of prioritisation matrices to inform the University’s electrification strategy and rollout
- Drafting of internal recommendation and approval reports
Key selection criteria
- An interest in sustainability, especially within the urban environment
- Strong data analysis skills (Excel)
- Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office
- Excellent time management and organization
- High level of written and verbal communication
- Excellent time management
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to operate independently and be self-motivated
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Biodiversity Intern (System Garden Accreditation)
Internship description
The Biodiversity Intern (System Garden Botanic Garden Accreditation) role will support the System Garden Curator in exploring a feasibility assessment of whether the University should pursue getting the System Garden accredited as a Botanic Garden.
This role will give a student an opportunity to learn more about the importance of botanic gardens and apply their research and report writing skills to an important project that will support the University in achieving its Sustainability Plan 2030 target to increase biodiversity. This project will directly contribute to Metric 2 of the Biodiversity Baseline Data Project and be used to guide action planning and projects to ensure on-campus biodiversity is protected and thriving.
Roles and responsibilities
- Engage with other Faculties and Departments to optimize processes that will enhance the System Garden’s significant research and teaching capacities
- Identify the policies, strategies, documents, and evidence we have already collated and what further requirements are required to satisfy the criteria needed to achieve global accreditation as a botanic garden for an international body
- Collate the documentation that substantiates the standards of accreditation
- Determine the deficits that need to be completed to progress the application
- Work with the Grounds team and Biodiversity Officer on policies, activities and documentation that may need changing or augmenting to support the accreditation
- Identify the benefits and negative implications of such an accreditation to the University e.g., access to funding from other sources, development restrictions, heritage implications
- Ascertain where the System Garden may fit in within the Botanic Garden community
- Identify possibilities for future programs, activities, and documentation that will enhance the capacity of the System Garden
Key selection criteria
- Expertise in ecology, urban biodiversity or horticulture
- High level of written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent time management
- Great interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others
- Ability to operate independently to a brief
- A high degree of computer literacy, including being able to use Microsoft 365 online
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Biodiversity Intern (Fishermans Bend Baseline)
As the Biodiversity Intern (Fisherman’s Bend Baseline), you will work with the Biodiversity Officer to collect, collate, process and analyze data to produce a Biodiversity Baseline for the University’s new Fishermans Bend Campus. This project directly relates to Biodiversity Baseline Data Project and is a key step needed for the University to achieve its Healthy Ecosystems targets in the University’s Sustainability Plan 2030. Stage 1A Design & Development is currently underway. This project will look at how stage 1A is trending against calculated baselines and help determine biodiversity targets for the campus to achieve.
Roles and responsibilities
- Review all relevant reports and design documentation for the campus to date
- Work with the Biodiversity Officer to undertake and refine existing analysis methodologies for each biodiversity metric, define indicators and set realistic targets for the ongoing design of the campus
- Work with the Biodiversity Officer and Spatial Assistants to develop:
- the most efficient data processing method
- data standards for each metric database e.g., attribute formatting and design
- data pipeline to enable real time comparison to calculated baselines and defined targets.
- live public facing maps and dashboards to track biodiversity baseline metrics and key indicators.
- Attending design and development consultation workshops to absorb new information as it becomes available and input feedback as new insights are gained.
Key selection criteria
- Excellent data analysis skills, preferably including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel
- A moderate level of GIS expertise, preferably with demonstratable experience and familiarity with ArcGIS Pro
- A high degree of computer literacy, including being able to use Microsoft 365 online
- High level of written and verbal communication skills
- Great interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others
- Ability to operate independently to a brief
- Excellent time management skills
- A keen interest in sustainable design, biodiversity, ecology, GIS or Urban Forestry is desirable
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Water Intern (Data Analyst)
The Sustainability Intern (Water Data) will help ensure the University can accurately report its progress towards the Healthy Water Cycle targets in the Sustainability Plan 2030 as well as Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association (TEFMA) Benchmarks.
Roles and responsibilities
- Analyse existing water infrastructure data, identify deficiencies in database design
- Complete Metadata standards in collaboration with Spatial Assistant (Deyan) for Water Tanks and Water Meters
- Plug data gaps where possible via desktop
- Design an efficient field survey method to collate any outstanding information that needs to be collected in situ
- Produce a completed Water Tank Asset Register- CSV database imported into Konect and API set up to view in ArcGIS
- Liaise with the Utilities Officer and Smart Campus Team about potential data flows to enable live consumption data visualization at varying scales
- Draft Dashboard Layouts and Metrics for Sustainability Report and TEFMA Benchmarks
- Support the Sustainability Officer with running the Water Working Group
- Work with Plumbing Officers and Contractors to tailor data inputs in the asset management system
Key selection criteria
- Strong data management and analysis skills, especially using MS Excel. Advanced data analysis or visualization skills or experience is highly desirable (PowerBI, Python/ PostgreSQL/ R or understanding of other coding languages/ data management software)
- Experience using GIS software, preferably with ArcGIS Pro
- High level of written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent time management and organization
- Ability to operate independently and be self-motivated
- Ability to work within a team
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Water Intern (Irrigation)
The Sustainability Intern (Irrigation) will help the University better understand its irrigation-related infrastructure to increase irrigation efficiencies, thereby addressing the Healthy Water Cycle targets in the Sustainability Plan 2030.
This role will primarily assist in mapping the catchment areas of solenoids that have been recently upgraded to the Hydrawise operating system across our metropolitan campuses.
Roles and responsibilities
- Analyse the existing Burnley Campus irrigation map, identify areas for improvement
- Complete Metadata standards in collaboration with Spatial Assistant (Deyan) for Plantable Areas
- Plug data gaps where possible via desktop, especially at Parkville Campus, e.g. bringing in new Plantable Area vector data from the new Student Precinct
- Design an efficient field survey method to collate any outstanding information that needs to be collected in situ
- Produce online and printable easy-to-understand catchment maps to assist irrigation system operators in modifying parameters in Hyrdawise.
Key selection criteria
- A moderate level of GIS expertise, preferably with demonstratable experience and familiarity with ArcGIS Pro
- Excellent data analysis skills, preferably including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel
- A high degree of computer literacy, including being able to use Microsoft 365 online
- High level of written and verbal communication skills
- Great interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others
- Ability to operate independently to a brief
- Excellent time management skills
- A basic level of AutoCAD proficiency is desirable
- A keen interest in sustainable design, water sensitive urban design, GIS or horticulture is desirable
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Waste Intern (Data Analyst)
The University has a target to reduce waste to landfill to 10kg per person by 2025. The Waste Intern (Data Analyst) will support Campus Management with mapping existing waste infrastructure (outdoor bins, waste collection points etc). The data collection from this project will enable the University to make data driven decisions to improve waste management, flow and collection.
The successful candidate will assist in completing a field survey, analysing existing data and creating a waste infrastructure map. This role will provide a student with the opportunity to apply their data analysis, mapping and interpersonal skills to assist the University in achieving its ambitious waste targets.
Roles and responsibilities
- Analyse existing waste infrastructure data, identify gaps in data needs and what information needs to be curated in situ vs. via desktop
- Design efficient field survey technique and then survey all waste collection points and associated infrastructure - initially on the Parkville Campus
- Create multilayered waste infrastructure map, for the primary audience of the Sustainability Officer (Waste) to assist in strategy development and operational process improvements, initially just for the Parkville Campus
- Provide recommendations for waste infrastructure improvements
Key selection criteria
- Strong data analysis skills, especially using MS Excel
- Experience using GIS software, preferably with ArcGIS
- PowerBI (or similar software) for data visualisation is desirable
- High level of written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent time management and organisation
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to operate independently and be self-motivated
What previous interns say
Many of our previous interns have continued working on projects in paid roles at the University, or have found work in their chosen field elsewhere.
Feiya Zhang, Graduate Diploma in Environment
Urban Forest Intern, Semester 2 2023
“A personal highlight for me was the opportunity to work closely and learn from my internship supervisor Rachael Miller and my intern colleague Lilik Andriyani, as well as the broader Sustainability Team – everyone cares a lot about the work they are doing. I credit this internship experience with deepening my interest in biodiversity conservation and my appreciation of the value of the ecosystem services that trees provide. I highly recommend an internship, whether as part of your University course or in addition to your current subjects, as you can learn a lot about the workplace, and your interests, which helps to inform your decisions about your current or future studies and where you’d like to head when you graduate.”
Hariz Ahmad, Master of Environment
Waste Minimisation Intern, Summer Semester 2021
“Coming into the internship at the beginning of the Master of Environment helped me clarify future career path and outlined my strengths and weaknesses as a professional. Working on implementing the System Garden Composting Program was the highlight of my internship as I was able to apply my project management and stakeholder engagement skills while experiencing the reality of introducing a new resource recovery program. I had the opportunity to work on multiple projects within the team and with other departments, which gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone. I gained so much knowledge and experience in the short time I spent there and created friendships that extended outside of the internship.”
Read what other interns have to say about their experience.