Are you a PhD or Masters student with a background in bushfire science?
A new internship opportunity is open for PhD and Masters students to apply their academic interests to real world problems through a placement with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (Western Australia).
Natural Hazards Research Australia has developed three internship opportunities for 2025 have 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.
Compare and contrast LA and Western Australia wildfire resilience, preparedness and response
The Centre and APR.Intern has developed an opportunity for a postgraduate placement within the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) (WA) for scholars with transferable skills to apply to the natural hazard and disaster risk reduction sectors. Apply via APR.Intern by clicking the button in the top-right corner of this page.
Internship details
- This is a paid, six-month position within DFES.
- The intern will research and identify any existing gaps and explore opportunities to implement learnings from the Los Angeles (LA) fires to prevent similar catastrophic and costly fires in the future.
- Preferred skills for the postgraduate student include fire and organisational knowledge, research management, strong analysis and problem solving skills.
- the intern will be mentored by the Centre’s existing contacts at DFES and Centre staff.
- This opportunity is open to any PhD and Masters students in Australia, affiliated with an Australian research institution, including postgraduate and associate students currently funded by the Centre.
- It is preferred that the intern will be based in Western Australia, however all candidates across Australia will be considered.
- A level of travel and accommodation will be offered by the Centre for a successful candidate who resides outside Western Australia.
Key dates:
- Applications close on 9 April 2025.
- This internship will run for six months.
Benefits for the intern:
- Experience within a state fire and emergency services agency.
- International emergency management collaboration.
- Experience in fire operations and planning.
In 2024, the Centre piloted the first internship program with APR.Intern, hosted by New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS). Inaugural postgraduate intern, Shabnam Varzeshi, reviewed NSW NPWS's current research utilisation practices to improve decision making for fire and land management agencies. Read Shabnam’s final report here.