Join Dr. Claudia Ituarte-Lima (RWI) and Dr. Ana Maria Vargas Falla (Lund Univeristy) at the RWI Research and Education department as an intern supporting the thematic area Human Rights and the Environment.

RWI is offering an exciting internship opportunity for the spring or fall of 2025 at our Lund headquarters. If the internship is part of your academic studies, such as a course, it can be full-time. Otherwise, it will be part-time, up to 50%.

Please note, this is an unpaid internship and RWI and Lund University is not responsible for visa applications or any related administrative procedures. Upon successful completion, the intern will be asked to write a brief report, and a certificate will be issued.

For this project, RWI and Lund University are in partnership with leading institutions from Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Denmark, and have strong collaborations with Global South partners.

Key Responsibilities

The RWI thematic area on human rights and the environment focuses on supporting legal and multi-disciplinary research, facilitating learning exchanges, and driving communications efforts. Our goal is to develop a comprehensive theoretical understanding and practical application of a human rights-based approach within climate change and biodiversity law and policy.

After an introductory training period, you will contribute to generating fresh insights into the role of biosphere defenders as agents of change in the implementation of law and policy. You’ll explore how these defenders trigger integrated responses to biodiversity stewardship and human well-being. Additionally, you will analyse how law and policy actors from both the Global South and Europe can support biosphere defenders in nature-based solutions and human rights for just sustainability transformations.

A key part of this internship involves contributing to the DEFEND-BIO transnational research project, focused on "Biosphere Defenders Leveraging Legal and Governance Tools for Just Sustainability Transformations."

Main areas in focus will be:

• Conduct research, reviews, and analysis on academic and policy reports related to human rights and the environment
• Collect, systematize, and analyse data on case studies, including mapping and analysing rights-based litigation related to the climate-biodiversity-water interface across various countries
• Contribute to the development of legal empowerment tools
• Participate in discussions on legal and governance innovations related to the right to a healthy environment and other human rights
• Develop outreach materials, such as news articles and blog posts, based on findings

✅ Requirements

Candidates should have a strong knowledge of international human rights and environmental law, and be currently pursuing or recently graduated from an LLM program in international human rights or a similar field. The ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively within a team, is essential. Fluency in written and spoken English is required, and knowledge of additional languages, particularly Spanish, would be an asset.

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is a world-leading organisation dedicated to promoting human rights, humanitarian law, and sustainable development. Through research, education, and collaboration, the Institute works globally to strengthen respect for human rights and foster fair and inclusive societies.

Application procedure

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter by no later than 31 March 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

For further information, please contact Dr Claudia Ituarte-Lima (claudia.ituarte-lima@rwi.lu.se).