Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) is supporting three new internship positions in 2026, with placements designed to turn academic knowledge into real-world impact.
The Centre continues to work with partners to build opportunities that combine education with work placements – a long-term focus on skills and workforce development, as highlighted in our 10-Year Research Strategy 2022 and rolling Biennial Research Plans.
Program overview
The Centre will deliver the program with Australian Postgraduate Research Intern (APR.Intern), the industry engagement arm of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, who will serve as the facilitation partner for the 2026/27 financial year.
- Purpose: To support internships that align with the mission, vision and objectives of Natural Hazards Research Australia by building opportunities that strengthen collaboration between academia and end users by combining education with work placements – a long-term focus on skills and workforce development, as highlighted in our 10-Year Research Strategy 2022 and rolling Biennial Research Plans.
- Quantity: Three internships for the 2026/27 financial year:
- Women in Mitigation: Identifying recruitment, retention and progression barriers to increase female representation in mitigation roles – New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS)
- Optimising the type and location of aviation hubs and airbases to deliver efficient and effective aviation services – Queensland Fire Department (QFD)
- A third fire-related internship position that will soon be announced.
- Funding support: The Centre will fund each internship up to $29,800 ex GST, comprising $19,800 for the intern and $10,000 to APR.Intern for facilitation.
Objectives for interns
- Capability development: Gain hands-on experience working alongside an organisation to enhance skills in addressing natural hazard-related challenges. Exposure to applying research methods and approaches to address real-world scenarios and business challenges.
- Collaboration: Strengthen connections with others in the natural hazards sector and build longer-term partnerships.
- Knowledge sharing: Assist in the dissemination of research findings and innovative approaches to addressing natural hazards, resilience and disaster risk reduction.
- Contribution and impact: Contribute meaningful outputs and practical impact to address the host organisation's knowledge needs.
Key dates
- Internship applications for the NSW RFS and QFD internship positions close 26 August 2026.
- Key dates for the third internship position to come.
Application process
- Application submission: Applicants must complete an application for any of the positions through APR.Intern: aprintern.org.au/available-internships/
- Selection criteria: See each position description in APR.Intern for more information on desired skills and the selection criteria.