Project description

Bauhaus der Erde is a non-profit research institute based in Berlin and Potsdam. Our vision is a sustainable built environment that contributes to the protection of our climate and biodiversity. To achieve this, we rethink architecture, urban design, and materials science – together with partners from science, politics, business, and civil society.

Our interdisciplinary team comprises around 50 employees from architecture, urban planning, and various natural science disciplines. We work project-based, scientifically grounded, and practice-oriented.

As an interdisciplinary research institute, our daily work spans from hands-on lab experiments to building smooth workplace structures. We want to ensure your mandatory internship becomes a truly meaningful learning experience that perfectly matches your academic background and personal interests.

Therefore, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all placements. When submitting your application through our portal, please let us know where your passion lies by selecting your primary area of focus from the dropdown menu:

•  Architecture & Building Design 

  • What you’ll actually do: You will support our architects and engineers with bio-based and regenerative design strategies. You will assist in digital drafting and 3D modeling, help with physical model-making and laser-cutting in our lab, and help organize and catalog material samples for our upcoming regional building demonstrators.

  • Your background: Studies in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Urban Design. First practical experience with 3D modeling software (Rhino, AutoCAD) or hands-on prototyping and physical model-making is highly valued.

• Resources, Climate & Science

  • What you’ll actually do: Support our scientific team by conducting targeted literature reviews, gathering environmental and forestry data, and tracking regional bio-material value chains. You will do the heavy lifting in data management by helping our researchers prepare raw data sheets for Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and climate impact modeling.

  • Your background: Studies in Forestry (Forstwissenschaften), Geo-Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Data Science, Sustainability Management, or Spatial Planning. You love desk research, feel comfortable structuring data sheets in Excel, and have a strong analytical mindset.

Your mission

As a mandatory intern at Bauhaus Earth, your mission is directly tied to the focus area you choose. We strongly believe that an internship should be a profound educational journey, which is why we guarantee a hands-on, impactful experience.

Depending on your selected department, your mission will involve:

•  Active Project Integration: You will be fully embedded into our ongoing project structures, research timelines, or operational workflows.
• Impactful Contributions: Engaging in meaningful work with direct scientific, creative, or operational relevance to your field of study—no endless photocopying or coffee runs.
• Collaborative Growth:Working alongside your dedicated mentor to achieve tangible outputs, whether that means contributing to bio-based design concepts, system research data, or strategic communication briefs.

Your profile

We are looking for highly motivated students who share our passion for the regenerative building turnaround. To be considered for our talent pool, you must fulfill the following parameters:

• You are currently enrolled in a university degree program relevant to your selected focus area (e.g., Architecture, Environmental Sciences, Media/Communications, Business/HR, or Psychology).

• Mandatory Status: The internship must be a compulsory, officially required part of your current university degree regulations (Pflichtpraktikum).

• Time Commitment: You are available for a continuous period of at least 4 months (ideally 6 months).

• Required Application Documents: Please submit your CV and your current certificate of enrollment.

• Legal Requirement: To verify your internship status, please upload the official excerpt of your university’s mandatory internship regulations (Prüfungsordnung) into the "Andere / Other"

Why us?

Our Mentoring Commitment
We believe an internship should be a pure educational experience, not an exploitation of student labor. Therefore, we guarantee:

• Dedicated Mentorship: You will be assigned a personal mentor from day one who coordinates a structured 2-week training plan tailored to your learning goals.* 
• Regular Feedback Loops: Mandatory weekly check-ins and an in-depth mid-term evaluation to track your progress and provide guidance.
• Academic Win-Win: We actively support your academic development and aim for long-term collaborations, such as joint scientific publications or master's thesis support.
• Dynamic Environment: Work with an international, interdisciplinary team of experts in the heart of Berlin who are deeply passionate about systemic climate action.

Key facts

• Location: Berlin, Germany (with flexible hybrid working options)
• Start Date: Flexible / Year-round intake based on project needs
• Duration: Minimum 4 to 6 months (strictly continuous)
• Type: Mandatory University Internship (Pflichtpraktikum)
• Compensation: Unpaid (Unvergütet)
• Working Hours: Full-time (aligned with your university's internship regulations)
• Language of Operation: English (German is a plus)

Diversity

At Bauhaus Earth, we are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and equitable working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

About us

From climate crisis to regenerative transformation. Bauhaus Earth is a 50-member interdisciplinary and international think-and-make tank based in Potsdam and Berlin. The non-profit organisation is dedicated to the regenerative transformation of the built environment. Our vision is a future in which buildings, cities and landscapes proactively contribute to climate restoration and have a positive impact on the planet and its inhabitants.