Environmental Data & Policy Intern (India)

WRI India is seeking 8 Environmental Data & Policy Interns to support research on air quality, focusing on open waste burning in urban areas. Interns will conduct primary data collection, geospatial analysis, and policy research to enhance waste management systems. The position involves collaboration with the Air Quality team to develop actionable insights. The role is based in Delhi NCR and Gorakhpur, indicating it is not a remote position.
Number of positions: 8

Location: Delhi NCR (Delhi, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi) and Gorakhpur

About us

WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.

Know more: https://wri-india.Org/

Program Overview

At WRI India Ross Center we focus on 10 integrated solutions to urban challenges. Through applied research, tools, hands-on advice, and by tapping our network of global experts, we accelerate transformative urban initiatives that have the power to change Indian cities into thriving, equitable and low-carbon places that are good for people and the planet. Working at WRI India Ross Center offers you the unique opportunity to learn and grow as you collaborate with a diverse set of change agents across Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai. As India’s biggest urban focused think and do tank, we seek thoughtful, enterprise-minded, and sensitive individuals who can help us support this transformation and make a positive difference to citizens’ everyday lives.

Job Highlight:

The Intern – Air Quality will support field-based research and analysis on open waste burning and dumping across selected cities. The role involves primary data collection, geospatial analysis, and policy-relevant research to support efforts under air quality management initiatives.

The intern will work closely with the Air Quality team to generate actionable insights that contribute to reducing waste burning and improving municipal solid waste systems.

Background

Air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges in India, particularly in urban regions like Delhi and surrounding cities. Among the various contributing sources, open burning of municipal solid waste (MSW) is also one of the contributing yet underreported sector. Even though open municipal solid waste burning (OWB) contributes about 5% to 11% of particulate matter emissions in Indian cities, its mitigation is critical from both regulatory and public health perspectives, as the composition of the open waste is often a cocktail of toxic materials such as plastics and the combustion often happens at low temperatures.

Open waste burning contributes to:

- High levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
- Emission of toxic pollutants such as dioxins and furans
- Localized health risks and environmental degradation

Despite regulations, waste burning persists due to gaps in solid waste management systems, and is driven by multiple factors, including deficiencies in waste collection and management, lack of infrastructure, and social, cultural, and behavioral practices. There is a strong need for data-driven assessments to understand spatial patterns, quantify emissions, and inform policy interventions.

What you will do:

1. Project Objectives

- Identify and map spatial and temporal patterns of open waste burning
- Quantify and characterize open waste dumping
- Assess capacity and functionality of waste management systems
- Support data-driven planning for mitigation strategies

2. Open Waste Burning Survey

Field Methodology

- Conduct reconnaissance (recce) surveys to understand land use, SES, and urban form
- Design transects (~30–45 km) based on city characteristics
- Survey each transect for 3 consecutive days during:
- Morning: 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Evening: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Data Collection

- Record GPS coordinates using handheld devices
- Assess waste composition
- Estimate waste mass:
- Weigh raw waste
- Identify material composition
- Capture photographic evidence
- Record intensity, land use, and socio-economic context
- Engage with local communities to understand reasons for waste burning

3. Open Waste Dumping Survey

- Conduct surveys along predefined transects
- Record:
- GPS coordinates (waypoints marking through the GPS device)
- Waste composition and material type
- Quantification through weighing different fractions
- Ensure coverage across:
- Residential areas
- Vacant lands
- Urban peripheries

Post-Survey Responsibilities

- Clean and structure datasets (Excel format)
- Post-data refinement and analysis.
- Analyze causes of waste burning in relation to land use, SES and local issues
- Conduct geospatial analysis using GIS tools (ArcGIS/GRASS GIS)
- Collect and analyze secondary data for NCAP cities
- Support policy analysis related to air quality and waste management
- Contribute to report writing and documentation

Outreach and Communication

- Develop communication materials for diverse audiences
- Support dissemination through reports, presentations, and workshops
- Participate in meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagements

Research and Knowledge Development

- Build understanding of air pollution challenges in India
- Identify research gaps in waste burning and air quality
- (Desirable) Exposure to air quality dispersion models such as AERMOD,WRF- CAM, Google Earth pro, GRASS GIS

Qualifications and Requirements

- Master’s degree in Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, Environmental Engineering, Transport Planning, Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Development, or related field
- Willingness to travel extensively across project cities
- Ability to interact with local communities (knowledge of local language preferred)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and GIS tools (ArcGIS)
- Strong analytical and research skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication in English
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and work in team environments

Stipend: INR 25000/ month and Reimbursement of local travelling and food during the survey, if any.

To Apply: Qualified applicants should apply /careers. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered.

Only select applicants will be contacted for interview purpose.

Finalised candidates will be required to do a short interview

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India

WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and cooperative culture and can also enhance our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a protected and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.

Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here