What are the responsibilities and job description for the Data Analyst Intern, Methane Science position at Environmental Defense Fund?
EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.
Program/Department Overview
Science and Innovation (S&I) is the nexus of science at EDF, ensuring that the science that is the backbone for all EDF policy positions is based on the best available information. To be most effective in this role, S&I provides programmatic support for all scientists at EDF and fosters relationships with scientists outside the organization.
One of S&I’s top priorities is the study of anthropogenic methane emissions. Methane from human activities accounts for roughly a quarter of today’s warming and cutting methane in the oil and gas sector offers one of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective ways to slow global warming. Flaring, in which excess natural gas is burned as a waste stream, typically occurs due to a lack of gas take-away capacity or for safety reasons. Natural gas flares emit carbon dioxide, smog-forming nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants that are damaging to human health. When natural gas is released without burning, for example due to a flare malfunction, large quantities of climate-warming methane can be released directly into the atmosphere. Several recent regulations, at both national and subnational levels, aim to reduce or eliminate routine flaring. Evaluating compliance with these regulations is critical to understanding their effectiveness.
Overall Function
Science and Innovation seeks an Intern to organize, analyze, and interpret a large amount of oil and gas operator reported flaring data. They will be responsible for conveying insights from these data in visualizations and a written report. They will report to a Methane Scientist within S&I.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
U.S. Remote with option to be hybrid out of an EDF office in Austin, TX. Intern supervisor is in Texas but many team members are spread across the country and the world.
Term
Fall 2025
Hours
Part-time (15-20 hr/week)
Compensation
This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18/hr.
Application Materials
Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.
Learn more about internships at EDF -http://www.edf.org/environmental-careers/internships
Program/Department Overview
Science and Innovation (S&I) is the nexus of science at EDF, ensuring that the science that is the backbone for all EDF policy positions is based on the best available information. To be most effective in this role, S&I provides programmatic support for all scientists at EDF and fosters relationships with scientists outside the organization.
One of S&I’s top priorities is the study of anthropogenic methane emissions. Methane from human activities accounts for roughly a quarter of today’s warming and cutting methane in the oil and gas sector offers one of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective ways to slow global warming. Flaring, in which excess natural gas is burned as a waste stream, typically occurs due to a lack of gas take-away capacity or for safety reasons. Natural gas flares emit carbon dioxide, smog-forming nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants that are damaging to human health. When natural gas is released without burning, for example due to a flare malfunction, large quantities of climate-warming methane can be released directly into the atmosphere. Several recent regulations, at both national and subnational levels, aim to reduce or eliminate routine flaring. Evaluating compliance with these regulations is critical to understanding their effectiveness.
Overall Function
Science and Innovation seeks an Intern to organize, analyze, and interpret a large amount of oil and gas operator reported flaring data. They will be responsible for conveying insights from these data in visualizations and a written report. They will report to a Methane Scientist within S&I.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Write code to clean, organize, and analyze data
- Draw insights from the data
- Prepare appropriate visualizations of the data
- Write up a report describing the data and insights
- Communicate findings to other members of the team
- Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
- Enrolled in or a recent graduate of an undergraduate degree program
- Demonstrated interest in environmental topics, data analysis, or the oil and gas industry
- Coursework in data analytics, statistics, or data science recommended.
- Experience in data analysis and data visualization required
- Basic proficiency in programming languages such as R or Python
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team setting and ability to work independently when projects are due.
- Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.
U.S. Remote with option to be hybrid out of an EDF office in Austin, TX. Intern supervisor is in Texas but many team members are spread across the country and the world.
Term
Fall 2025
Hours
Part-time (15-20 hr/week)
Compensation
This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18/hr.
Application Materials
Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.
Learn more about internships at EDF -http://www.edf.org/environmental-careers/internships
Salary : $18
