Research Assistant Intern (Risk)

Woodwell Climate Research Center 

Summer Internships Program 2026

Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.  

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary:

Join the Center’ 2026 Summer Internship Program on the Risk team as a full-time Research Assistant Intern to build a flood model and assist communities in preparing for the impacts of climate change. A successful candidate must have a genuine interest in scientific machine learning and environmental resilience who can bridge the gap between theoretical physics and applied AI to solve complex climate challenges.  This opportunity provides mentoring, training, and group support.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to: 

• Conduct literature review on recent advances in flood modeling with respect to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solvers and Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINN)

• Design and build a flood model within a PINN framework to serve as a high-speed emulator for the 2D Shallow Water Equations used in flood modeling or by deploying a highly computationally efficient CFD solver

• Validate the flood model using historical events and scale the model for continent-wide simulations

• Create a documented GitHub repository, a validation report quantifying error metrics against ground truth, and visualizations comparing the emulator’s performance to standard hydraulic models

Must have the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong proficiency in Python and hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow or JAX

• Solid understanding of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) and numerical methods used in fluid dynamics

• Academic background in Scientific Computing, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Numerical Analysis, and Deep Learning and Fluid Mechanics preferred

• Excellent communications skills (written, verbal and interpersonal)

• Ability to work independently as well as productively as part of a team

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled (or will graduate in Spring 2026) in an undergraduate or graduate program in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Physics or quantitative field

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted indoors

Application review will be ongoing

Desired Start Date: June 8 2026 thru August 14, 2026

Hours of Work

• This role is paid on an hourly basis. Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek.

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, temporary, non-exempt position, with an hourly salary (based on Massachusetts minimum wage or equivalent state where the employee is located). Internship will not exceed more than 90 days.

Location: Falmouth, MA Onsite or Hybrid

Application Instructions: To apply, please complete the application, attach your resume and cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position in a single PDF to our career’s portal.  All resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work. 

Woodwell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.