Trainee on Data-Driven Decision Support for Nature-Based Solutions

Institute for Renewable Energy

Short description of the position:

The Institute for Renewable Energies at Eurac Research is offering an internship within the Interreg Italy–Austria project CRESCITA, which aims to strengthen climate resilience in Alpine and inner areas through the development of innovative planning tools and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).
As part of the project, Eurac Research leads the development of the Climate Adaptation Suite (CAS), an integrated decision-support toolkit supporting local authorities in the planning and implementation of NbS.
The internship offers the opportunity to contribute to the development and integration of the CAS components, with a particular focus on data collection and analysis, the structuring of an NbS catalogue, and the development of knowledge and decision-support resources for local authorities.
The internship is open to Master's students (curricular internship) or recent graduates (within 12 months of graduation).

Tasks:

• Collecting, reviewing and processing data and information to support the development of the CAS, contributing to the preparation and organisation of datasets and content to be integrated into the dynamic GIS-based dashboard.
• Contributing to the identification, selection and development of a spatial NbS catalogue, including information on NbS characteristics, expected benefits, implementation costs and applicability in different territorial contexts.
• Supporting the collection and analysis of environmental, territorial and socio-economic information relevant to climate vulnerabilities and NbS planning.
• Designing and structuring surveys and questionnaires for municipalities and local stakeholders to collect information on NbS typologies, local needs and priorities related to climate adaptation and NbS.
• Supporting the analysis and interpretation of survey results and their integration into the CAS framework and decision-support tools.
• Supporting the development of the operational manual for local administrations, contributing to the collection and structuring of guidance, methodologies and practical information on the planning and implementation of NbS.
• Collaborating with the research team to ensure consistency and interoperability between the data framework, the operational manual and the digital dashboard.

Requirements:

• Master's student eligible for a curricular internship or recent graduate (within 12 months of graduation) in Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Engineering, Geography, Sustainability Studies, Computer Science, or related disciplines.
• Interest in climate adaptation, decision support systems and Nature-Based Solutions.
• Ability to collect, review and synthesise scientific, technical and territorial information, to be integrated in a web-based GIS applications.
• Good knowledge of data analysis and management.
• Familiarity with survey design, spatial databases, geospatial data formats and basic programming is considered an asset.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.
• Good command of spoken and written English.
• Availability to work in person at Eurac Research's premises in Bolzano for the duration of the internship is required.

We offer:

The internship offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative and integrated decision-support toolkit for climate adaptation, gaining hands‑on experience at the intersection of Nature-Based Solutions, data analysis, participatory methods and digital decision-support systems.
The selected candidate will work closely with an interdisciplinary research team and contribute to a European cross-border project involving research organisations, public authorities and local stakeholders.
A qualified supervisory team will provide continuous mentoring throughout the internship, and a financial allowance will be provided.
The minimum internship duration is six months, with a preferred starting date in October 2026 (exact dates to be agreed).