The Centre has been working with partners to build opportunities that combine education with work placements – a long-term focus on skills and workforce development, as highlighted in our 10-Year Research Strategy 2022 and rolling Biennial Research Plans.
A new pilot internship has been developed in partnership with Australian Postgraduate Research Intern (APR.Intern) – the industry engagement arm of the Australian Mathematical and Sciences Institute. It ensures that PhD and Masters by Research scholars receive supported opportunities to practice learnings from their degrees through hands-on experience within the natural hazards, resilience and disaster risk reduction sectors.
Internship details
The Centre is piloting the first internship opportunity with a postgraduate placement within the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS). It is aimed at scholars who have transferable skills they can apply to the natural hazard and disaster risk reduction sectors.
- This internship is a paid, six-month position within NSW NPWS.
- The intern will help NSW NPWS develop an understanding of barriers and enablers to research utilisation, to improve utilisation in decision-making for fire and land management practices.
- The outcomes will include an understanding of different approaches to translating research into policies, guidelines, training and how to monitor and evaluate impacts.
- Preferred skills for this position include experience exploring the theory and practice of organisational change, business psychology and applying innovation within an organisation. While prior experience in the natural hazards sector would be useful, it is not a requirement.
- The intern will be mentored by the Centre’s existing contacts at NSW NPWS, as well as by Centre staff.
- This opportunity is open to any PhD or Masters by Research students in Australia, affiliated with an Australian research institution, including postgraduate and associate students currently funded by the Centre.
- The intern will be required to work on-site at the NSW NPWS head office in Parramatta, Sydney, with flexible working arrangements arranged with mentors.
Key dates:
- Applications for the internship are closed.
- The internship is planned to commence at the start of 2024.
- This internship will run for six months.
Benefits for intern:
- An opportunity to contribute your theoretical knowledge to address a real-world challenge on how to best utilise knowledge from research, to inform the policies and practices for a large government entity.
- Exposure to working with industry leading experts in land management and fire science polices and practices.
- Experience working on a research problem with applied research-savvy practitioners.
- An opportunity to work with the Centre and its network of industry partners and applied researchers within the Australian natural hazards sector.