Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Scaling Finance for Mangrove Restoration – Summer 2026 Internship

Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability – Oceans Program

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Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate curiosity, collaboration, and the diverse perspectives that strengthen our work. As a Summer Intern supporting Scaling Finance for Mangrove Restoration, you’ll join the Nicholas Institute Oceans Program and contribute to applied, interdisciplinary research that connects environmental science, economics, and policy. In this role, you’ll work alongside Duke faculty and staff, international partners, and leading experts to support research that informs real-world decisions on restoring and financing mangrove and coastal ecosystems worldwide.

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Be Bold.

Mangrove ecosystems are critical for climate resilience, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods—yet restoring them at scale requires better data, stronger financial models, and enabling policy conditions. During Summer 2026, you’ll support two closely linked analyses:

• A meta-analysis and database development effort examining enabling factors for successful mangrove restoration
• A comparative cost-benefit case study across selected global mangrove restoration projects (anticipated locations include Indonesia, Pakistan, West Africa, Colombia, and potentially China or Belize)

 

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct systematic literature searches using peer-reviewed and grey literature
• Review, synthesize, and extract quantitative and qualitative data on mangrove restoration approaches, outcomes, and financing
• Create, manage, and populate an Excel-based global database of mangrove restoration projects
• Support analysis of costs, benefits, and return on investment across restoration practices
• Assist in developing semi-structured interview methodologies and preparing materials for expert elicitation
• Engage with Duke researchers, United Nations FAO collaborators, and other subject matter experts to refine methods, review findings, and strengthen deliverables
• Contribute to outlines and drafts of internal and external research products

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What You’ll Bring:

• Experience conducting literature searches using Web of Science, Scopus, or Google Scholar
• Strong skills in literature review and synthesis
• Familiarity with citation management tools (e.g., Zotero)
• Basic Excel skills for organizing and analyzing data
• Interest in or exposure to ecological restoration, mangrove ecology, environmental finance, or economics
• Experience or interest in semi-structured interviews, expert elicitation, or survey design
• Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research team

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Choose Duke.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week), paid internship for Summer 2026. Work will be conducted in person or in a hybrid format. You will report to the Assistant Policy Research Director and Program Director , and collaborate with colleagues across Duke, the United Nations FAO, and other partner institutions.

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Ready to Make a Difference?

To apply, please submit your resume or CV and a cover letter to:  

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $18.00 to USD $22.84. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).