AASHE STARS Gap Analysis Internship, Research Assistant, Summer 2026

University of Delaware•Newark, DE

17d•$5,000 - $5,000•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Delaware’s Climate Change Hub, in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, is seeking student interns for a summer 2026 project focused on sustainability benchmarking and strategic analysis. Interns will conduct research, data collection, and analysis to identify the highest-impact opportunities for UD to improve its AASHE STARS performance and advance broader sustainability goals. Students will benchmark UD against peer East Coast public universities with Gold AASHE STARS ratings, evaluate institutional gaps, research best practices, and develop prioritized recommendations. Students will work independently and as a team with weekly guidance and oversight from the Climate Change Hub and will present final findings and recommendations to the Presidential Committee on Sustainability (PCS) and the Office of Sustainability.

Requirements

Must be an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware.
Proven ability to take initiative, work independently, and manage time efficiently to meet deadlines.
Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff.
Ability to take directions, follow instructions, and accept constructive feedback.
Ability to analyze situations, think creatively, and propose innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.
Ability to positively engage with all aspects of the campus community, particularly students.
Detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Prompt, thorough, and concise communication.
Keen interest in environmental issues and a desire to help foster positive change within the University of Delaware.
Basic understanding of sustainability concepts and current environmental challenges is essential.