Fall 2024 Science Externship – Washington, D.C. Regional Office

Earthjustice’s Washington, D.C. Regional Office (“DCRO”) is accepting applications for one part-time science extern for fall 2024. We are seeking graduate students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. The successful candidate may work remotely or on a hybrid schedule from one of Earthjustice’s offices. Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the U.S. and work with partners in other countries who are leading these cases in their own domestic contexts. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage in the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

DCRO serves both as a regional office for issues arising in the mid-Atlantic states, and as a center for litigation on important national environmental issues. The office’s legal docket currently includes litigation to protect public health and the environment from air pollution; prompt the regulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; protect streams, wetlands, and other waters from pollution and outright destruction; and advance energy efficiency. Successful externs will have the ability to research and effectively synthesize unfamiliar areas of environmental science and public health (topics will include: toxicology, epidemiology, environmental justice, and human health risk assessment). Externs will also be required to clearly and effectively explain scientific concepts to non-scientists both orally and in writing.  
Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Staff Scientist, the extern will: 

• Conduct literature reviews.
• Synthesize research findings relevant to Earthjustice advocacy in memos.
• Revise memos based on feedback from the staff scientist and lawyers.
• Organize scientific information for use by lawyers.
• Draft blog posts, white papers, or other communications materials.
• Prepare presentation materials such as PowerPoint slide decks.

Qualifications: 

• Enrolled in a graduate, science program during fall 2024. Those enrolled in a doctoral or master’s program related to public health, strongly preferred.
• Ability to efficiently identify, evaluate, and synthesize scientific and technical information that is both scientifically sound and compelling for non-scientific audiences.
• Ability to conduct literature reviews using standard tools like Web of Science or PubMed. Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection and environmental or social justice.
• Excellent research, analytic and writing skills.
• Strong work ethic.
• Initiative, creative thinking and the ability to work collegially with others.
• Experience working on international issues, especially environmental and/or human rights issues, is a plus.
• Commitment of at least 15 hours per week.

Compensation: Externs are unpaid and must receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for their work with Earthjustice. To Apply:  Interested candidates should submit the following materials by 5:00pm PT on Monday, June 3, 2024 via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning June 4 with offers extended no later than July 24.    

• Resume.
• Cover letter – In one page, (1) Address why you want to work with the Washington, D.C. Regional Office and any information about yourself that is not apparent or fully explained in the resume; (2) Note if you are interested in part-time or full-time work hours and specify the number of hours, or a reasonable estimate, you will be able to work each week; (3) Confirm that you can earn academic credit from your school or that you will fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship; and (4) Indicate any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your submission or ability to accept an offer.
• A brief writing sample (2-4 pages) detailing a technical/scientific topic of choice (may be a paper submitted for course credit, independent research, etc.).
• Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references, including one professor.

Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at