Metabolic’s mission is to transition the global economy to a fundamentally sustainable state. We advise governments, businesses, and NGOs on how to adapt to a fast-changing global context. Combining systems thinking and data science, we map and understand local and global systems to assess where to intervene and develop solutions that can dramatically shift how the economy functions.

We are an international and dynamic team of around 100 people who share an ambition for catalyzing a sustainable future. Based in the Netherlands, we work at the cutting edge of sustainability initiatives for a broad range of global clients.

Metabolic's Cities Division focuses on supporting architects, developers, local governments, national governments and global NGOs in transitioning construction processes and urban systems towards more sustainable and resilient states. We do so by transforming and regenerating the urban environment into a fundamentally sustainable state where humans, nature and energy are part of a balanced holistic system.

Our division is structured into two teams: the Built Environment team and the Cities & Regions team, both of which work closely together and are supported by a team of data analysts. As an intern, you will join one of these teams based on your profile and preferences. You will also become a member of the Cities Data team, in which you will actively contribute to the development of data tools and the exchange of knowledge and skills.

The role focuses primarily on data analysis to support our consulting team, offering you the opportunity to explore what it’s like to work as a data analyst in a dynamic and impactful environment. You will gain hands-on experience working on large-scale projects for organizations, and depending on your development goals, your tasks may include data analysis and research & development.

In the Built Environment team, you may contribute to a range of projects, including our Net Zero Pathway projects for governments. These projects assess the CO2 emissions and material consumption of the construction sector and identify the necessary circular interventions to reduce its impact. Utilizing our Urban Mining Model, we analyze material stocks and forecast material flows from construction and demolition, providing policymakers and organizations with valuable insights to plan strategies for a circular construction sector.

Within the Cities & Regions team, you may contribute to projects such as our Material Flow Analysis, where we map material flows in cities and regions to pinpoint areas for impactful intervention. This approach allows us to swiftly match urban challenges with intervention methodologies that can provide efficient and tailored solutions. Additionally, you may work globally and locally, leveraging our comprehensive circular approach, which could involve mapping material flows, using GIS for sustainable city analysis, co-developing circular strategies, and monitoring the outcomes of circular economy strategies.

The internship starts in March 2025, and should last for five to six months. It requires four to five days of work per week. This internship provides a stipend amounting to €877.59/month pro-rata (based on 40 hours per week).

We are looking for someone with the following qualifications:

• Enrolled in Environmental Science, Industrial ecology, Economics, Urban Planning, Technical Management, Data Science or equivalent (at least until March 2025 - please mention your expected graduation date in your CV)

• Required skills /experience/knowledge:

  • Intrinsic passion for solving global challenges

  • A foundation of knowledge in sustainability, impact analysis, and systems thinking

  • Programming for data analysis (Python, Pandas)

  • Data analysis and visualization in Excel or Google sheets

  • Demonstrated experience in research and analytics

  • The ability to work independently

  • You are self-aware and engaged in personal development

• Preferred skills /experience/knowledge:

  • Spatial analysis (QGIS or Python)

  • Knowledge of version management software (git) 

  • Experience with accounting for environmental impacts

  • Dutch communication skills (Preferred for the Built Environment team only)

Eligibility Criteria  

To be eligible for an internship with Metabolic, the following criteria must be met (non-negotiable):

• Enrolled for the entire duration of the internship. 

• Have a residence permit in the Netherlands (valid for working purposes and the entire duration of the internship).

• Have a BSN (burgerservicenummer/citizen service number)