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Vertical Ag Research Intern

This job is no longer available

Washington, D.C., USA
Internship

The WWF is a leading conservation organization; our half-century of conservation success is rooted firmly in science. WWF has worked in Markets and Food for over a decade with the acknowledgement that the biggest threat to our mission has long been where and how we produce food. Now those impacts are being exacerbated by increased populations, increasing income, shifts in consumption patterns, and climate change.

This internship provides an opportunity for an upper level undergraduate or graduate student with experience in agriculture, indoor, soil-less agriculture preferred, to contribute to research at the intersection of environmental and financial sustainability. WWF is examining the indoor and vertical soil-less farming industry. At scale, this method of farming could reduce pressures on land, biodiversity, natural habitat, and climate, but to get there it has to overcome several key hurdles that prevent it from moving beyond its current specialization in high-end leafy greens. We want to help farms overcome those hurdles, such as ones related to energy and labor, and move the industry forward. Before we can do that, we need to better understand the optimum conditions for such a farm so we can better judge its potential for long-term financial and environmental sustainability.

This internship is flexible on location and can start in early September 2019, or ideally sooner, and run through early November 2019.

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Determine optimum water availability and quality, water temperature, and air temperature conditions for indoor, soil-less farms, with analysis if this varies by type of system and major crop types
  • For target crop types, examine and determine ideal light spectrum (hours and intensity), chemical and nutrient composition and requirements, technology (e.g. fertigation, lighting, and temperature control), building materials, monitoring systems and automation, and other environmental qualities and conditions
  • Analyze how all of these factors vary by different systems (aeroponics, aquaponics, hydroponics, both greenhouse and vertical) and crop types
  • Summarize all key findings
Educational Background: 
College student (junior or senior), graduate student a plus
Skills/Experience: 
  • Experience with indoor or vertical soil-less growing systems
  • Strong research experience
  • Part-time or full-time
  • Excellent writing, and analytical skills, as well as attention to detail
  • Ability to work productively on both independent research assignments and as part of a team
  • Proactive problem-solving and effective communication skills (written and verbal)

Organization Info

World Wildlife Fund

Overview
Headquarters: 
Washington, DC, United States
Founded: 
1991
About Us
Mission: 

For 50 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world's leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally.

WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.

Programs: 

WWF works to: 

  • Conserve the world's most important forests to sustain nature's diversity, benefit our climate, and support human well-being
  • Safeguard healthy oceans and marine livelihoods
  • Secure water for people and nature
  • Protect the worlds most important species
  • Drive sustainable food systems to conserve nature and feed humanity
  • Create a climate-resilient and zero-carbon world, powered by renewable energy

These things are not just “nice to have". . . they are “need to haves." They are the things that make it possible for us to live. And so, to ensure our very survival, they must be kept safe.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Jul 20 2019
Active Until: 
Aug 21 2019
Hiring Organization: 
World Wildlife Fund
industry: 
Nonprofit