Foresight Intern

About the job

A Future with purpose

At Arup we’re dedicated to sustainable development and to do socially useful work that has meaning.Our purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We solve the world’s most complex problems and deliver what seems impossible, with curiosity and creativity. We’re a thriving and growing organization which offers you many possibilities to shape a better world, and your future.

The Opportunity

About Arup Foresight

Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. Working in more than 140 countries, the firm’s designers, engineers, architects, planners, consultants, and technical specialists work with our clients on innovative projects of the highest quality and impact.

Arup’s Foresight team delivers thought leadership, insights, strategy, and innovation on the future of the built environment. We help Arup and our clients deliver excellence by engaging people in strategic conversations about change. We are a multi-disciplinary team of consultants, engineers, architects, and designers that help our clients understand change, identify emerging opportunities, and future-proof their business. From co-creating a vision for resilience and social equity for communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change to researching the future design and operations of a city district, we answer complex questions that require a broad and holistic look at the future.

Foresight is part of Arup University, Arup’s in-house function to support research, knowledge, learning, skills, excellence, and the development of our people and future capability.

The Role

The successful candidate will provide analytical and research support to the Foresight team – playing an integral role in developing high-quality, cutting-edge, and influential research, strategy and thought leadership.

We are looking for someone with strong analytical, research and critical-thinking skills, and a deep curiosity for factors affecting the future of the built environment. The successful candidate will actively help shape and deliver initiatives and reports which explore strategic questions relating to a wide range of topics exploring the intersection of technology, policy, economics, regulation, innovation with the theme of sustainable development. Research will focus primarily on North and South American context, with a view to global impacts and implications and include subject matter concerning the future of energy, materials and resource management, infrastructure planning, finance and delivery, regional and urban development, climate change resilience and mitigation, and much more.

We are looking for someone who can work dynamically and collaboratively within a team, exhibits a strong desire to learn and dive into and understand new subjects, and is willing to take on and contribute towards a wide range of tasks to deliver project outcomes and support project leads. This role is for someone who enjoys exploring complex problems from different angles, and is enthusiastic about proposing, testing and deploying new methods of research and engagement.

Responsibilities

The research and strategy analyst will be expected to:

• Conduct research and analysis, and synthesize quantitative and qualitative insights into clear summaries and outputs
• Gather and analyze primary and secondary data to create meaningful insight for senior stakeholders
• Review and discuss project briefs with project lead and actively contribute ideas to shape content and its presentation in project deliverables
• Contribute effectively to discussions bringing in creative, independent thinking
• Assist in preparing impactful and high-quality reports, presentations, and briefings for internal and external clients
• Assist the planning, preparation, and conducting of interviews and workshops with key stakeholders as part of research
• Deliver work which recognizes project objectives and priorities in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Regularly provide clear updates on research findings, methods, progress, challenges, and coordination to project lead and wider team/stakeholders
• Deliver timely against deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Assist in organization of meetings and engagements relating to project work
• Coordinate with designers and communication specialists to prepare content for external publication

Is this role right for you?

We’re looking for current students who are curious and ready to evolve how you think and work. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. If you can share your knowledge and ideas and encourage others to do the same; whilst having a desire to deliver excellent services for clients – we’d like to hear from you.

Background in foresight is not a must, but an interest in foresight futures thinking is encouraged.

The applicant should demonstrate the following key skills and attributes:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a design-related field, or as part of a transdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary program that focuses on research, strategy, and/or design. This can include but is not limited to architecture, speculative design, interaction design, engineering, industrial design, communications, business, economics, policy.
• Good knowledge of trends and challenges affecting the built environment, infrastructure, sustainability/climate change, and/or city/regional development
• Clear and concise writing
• Excellent research, analysis, and critical thinking
• Excellent communication skills (visual, verbal and/or written)
• Ability to review and analyze broad and complex information and capture and convey insights in a clear and succinct way including for senior stakeholders
• Highly collaborative and a team player
• Highly curious, creative outlook, excited to explore new topics, tasks and opportunities
• Proficiency with Microsoft office tools and Adobe Creative Suite
• Interest in strategic foresight and research tools and methodologies

What We Are Looking For

We’re looking for an intern with personal drive, a diversity of interests and experience and with a passion for addressing the challenges of climate change and/or the future of built environment. If you can combine these skills with an understanding of (or willingness to learn about) and a desire to deliver excellent services for clients, we’d like to hear from you.

What We Offer You

Each year, Arup seeks out students from around the world for our summer internship program. We look for diverse students with inquisitive minds and the desire to challenge themselves. Our interns learn quickly, are natural problem solvers and thrive on innovation. You will work alongside talented professionals and contribute to the success of real projects. In addition to on-the-job experience, we offer learning sessions with top leadership, site visits to local projects and social events.

Los Angeles Hiring Range – The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in Los Angeles, CA is $23.50 to $35.00 per hour. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of Los Angeles, CA will differ.

Flexible Working – We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for remote work are available throughout the program.

Next Steps

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly to begin the interview process. For any status updates regarding your candidacy please be sure to check your candidate portal.

Different people, shared values

Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture – from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender, LGBTQ+ and disability – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference – Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup .

Arup is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of protected veteran, or disability.