Application Guide

How to Apply for Summer 2026 Science Internship – International Program

at Earthjustice

🏢 About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is unique as the premier nonprofit environmental law organization that exclusively uses litigation to protect the environment and combat climate change. Working here means contributing to high-impact legal battles that shape national policy and directly defend communities and ecosystems, rather than just conducting research in isolation.

About This Role

This internship involves conducting targeted scientific research to support legal actions against energy projects and regulations, while also developing longer-term research memos on emerging energy transition issues. It's impactful because your scientific analysis will directly inform litigation and advocacy materials that could block harmful projects or shape cleaner energy policies.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve conducting a literature review on the health impacts of a proposed natural gas facility for an upcoming legal brief, analyzing emissions data from regulatory filings, and drafting sections of a research memo on grid modernization challenges. You'd regularly check in with your Staff Scientist supervisor via video call to discuss findings and next steps.

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🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For

  • A graduate student in environmental science, energy policy, or a related field who will be enrolled continuously from spring 2026 through fall 2026
  • Someone with demonstrated experience conducting scientific literature reviews and basic quantitative data analysis specifically related to energy, climate, or environmental policy
  • A strong writer who can translate complex technical information into clear, persuasive language for legal and advocacy contexts
  • A proactive learner comfortable with both discrete, deadline-driven research tasks and broader, strategic research projects

📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice

1

Highlight any experience analyzing energy projects, regulations, or climate policies—even from coursework—as this directly mirrors the role's focus

2

Include a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to synthesize scientific information for non-scientific audiences, such as a policy brief or literature review summary

3

Mention specific environmental law cases or campaigns Earthjustice has worked on that align with your interests in energy or climate

4

Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote setting while meeting tight deadlines for legal proceedings

5

Quantify your research experience (e.g., 'analyzed 50+ studies on renewable energy impacts' or 'conducted data analysis for 3 environmental policy projects')

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific interest in applying scientific research to environmental litigation and policy advocacy', "Examples of research you've conducted related to energy, climate, or environmental regulations", 'How your graduate studies prepare you to analyze emerging technical and policy issues in the energy transition', "Why Earthjustice's mission-driven, litigation-focused approach appeals to you over other environmental organizations"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Recent Earthjustice litigation involving energy projects or climate regulations (check their 'Our Cases' page)
  • → The organization's current strategic priorities around clean energy and climate, particularly their 'Beyond Carbon' campaign
  • → The role of staff scientists at Earthjustice and how they collaborate with attorneys (look for staff scientist profiles or articles)
  • → Specific energy regulations or policies Earthjustice has commented on or challenged recently (e.g., EPA rules, federal permitting)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you had to analyze complex scientific data and present it to a non-technical audience
2 How would you approach researching the environmental impacts of a specific energy project (e.g., a pipeline or solar farm) for potential litigation?
3 What emerging technical or policy issue in the energy transition do you think is most critical for Earthjustice to address, and why?
4 How do you ensure accuracy and rigor when conducting research under tight deadlines for legal proceedings?
5 Can you discuss an Earthjustice case or campaign related to energy that interests you, and how your skills could contribute to similar work?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Earthjustice's litigation focus or specific energy/climate work
  • Failing to demonstrate how your research skills apply to legal or policy contexts—purely academic research examples may not suffice
  • Not addressing the remote work aspect or your ability to be productive independently with supervisor guidance

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Earthjustice!

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