Internships (Pune sponge cities collective) (Position Closed)

Pune Knowledge Cluster; Pune District; On-site; INR 111,600 - 167,400; Part time

Job summary

Pune Knowledge Cluster is offering internships in Civil Engineering, Geology, and Social Work as part of the Sponge Cities Collective initiative. Interns will gain valuable hands-on experience in urban water management, conducting field surveys, and engaging with local communities.

These roles involve working closely with experts, assisting in data collection, and participating in transformational projects aimed at enhancing Pune's water resources.

Qualifications

• Experience or coursework in Hydrogeology, Civil Engineering, or Social Work.
• Willingness to work outdoors in diverse conditions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Assist in surveying potential recharge zones across Pune neighbourhoods.
• Help collect hydrological data for urban water conservation projects.
• Support community mobilization and stakeholder coordination activities.

Skills

Field survey skills

Data collection

Community engagement

CAD drawing skills

Basic hydrogeology

Education

Pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering or Geology

Tools

2D CAD software

GIS platforms

Water quality testing kits

Job description

Interships – Pune Sponge Cities Collective

About Pune Knowledge Cluster
Pune Knowledge Cluster (PKC) is a Section 8 nonprofit established in 2020 by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, under the City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster Initiative (CKIC). PKC bridges academia, R&D institutions, industry, and civic bodies to deliver science-based solutions to city-scale challenges.

About the Pune – Sponge Cities Collective
Rapid urbanisation has replaced permeable surfaces with concrete, depleting groundwater and generating unmanageable surface runoff. The Sponge Cities Collective is PKC’s 12-month science-based initiative (April 2026 – March 2027) to:

• Design and pilot rainwater harvesting and permeable infrastructure interventions
• Build municipal capacity through training workshops for officials
• Engage students from Civil Engineering, Geology, and Environmental Sciences
• Create replicable design guidelines and policy frameworks for the Pune region

These internships offer students a rare opportunity to contribute to live, funded urban water projects alongside domain experts from ACWADAM, Bhujal Abhiyan Trust, CDSA, and other knowledge partners.

STREAM 1 — CIVIL ENGINEERING INTERN

Role Overview: As a Civil Engineering intern, you will work alongside our Associate Project Manager – Civil Engineer to conduct site surveys, prepare drawings, and support the hands‑on implementation of sponge city infrastructure, including permeable pavements, rain gardens, and recharge pits. This is a field‑intensive role — you will spend time outdoors across Pune’s project sites, not only at a desk.

What You Will Do:

• Assist in surveying potential recharge zones across Pune neighbourhoods
• Help collect topographic and hydrological field data, including runoff pathways and catchment boundaries
• Support storage potential assessments of existing ponds, tanks, and proposed recharge structures
• Assist in preparing 2D CAD drawings from field measurements under senior engineer guidance
• Help compile Bills of Quantities (BoQ) and basic material estimates for pilot structures
• Maintain organized field notebooks, site photographs, and daily activity logs
• Observe and document construction activities at the pilot sponge city site
• Assist in monitoring sensor installation (piezometers, IoT rain gauges) at field sites
• Record basic sensor data and generate reports.
• Participate in community mapping exercises to document local rainwater harvesting potential areas
• Attend stakeholder workshops, undertake surveys and structured notes for project records

What You Will Learn:

• Applied hydrogeology and urban water cycle concepts in a real city context
• Field survey protocols for water conservation projects
• Sponge city design principles: bioswales, permeable pavements, rain gardens, etc.
• Construction supervision basics for nature‑based infrastructure
• Interdisciplinary teamwork with geologists, social workers, and municipal officials

STREAM 2 — GEOLOGY INTERN

Role Overview: As a Geology intern, you will support the technical core of the Sponge Cities Collective — identifying groundwater recharge zones, mapping aquifers in Pune’s hard‑rock Deccan terrain, and assisting in the supervision of recharge structures. You will work directly under our Associate Project Manager (Geologist) and gain hands‑on experience in applied hydrogeology in an urban setting.

What You Will Do:

• Assist in hydrogeological field surveys to identify geological features and potential groundwater recharge zones across Pune
• Help conduct community mapping of dug wells, borewells, minor irrigation structures, and local water bodies
• Support lithology logging and basic water level monitoring at selected sites
• Record field observations—water table levels, soil characteristics, and geological formations—into structured logs
• Assist in collating field data into the project’s central decision‑support database
• Help prepare summary tables and data sheets for technical reporting
• Observe and document the construction/installation of recharge shafts, recharge pits, and injection wells
• Assist in conducting basic pumping or slug tests to estimate aquifer yield under senior geologist supervision
• Monitor water quality parameters (basic field tests) at pilot sites
• Assist in digitising field‑collected data on GIS platforms for spatial mapping
• Help prepare thematic maps showing recharge zones, water body locations, and geological units

What You Will Learn:

• Applied hydrogeology in Deccan Trap hard‑rock terrain — a unique and professionally valuable exposure
• Field survey techniques for urban groundwater assessment
• Groundwater monitoring equipment and data logging practices
• Basics of aquifer characterisation: pumping tests, slug tests, lithology interpretation
• GIS‑based spatial mapping for water resource projects
• Integration of community knowledge with technical hydrogeological analysis

STREAM 3 — SOCIAL WORK INTERN

Role Overview: As a Social Work intern, you will be the community‑facing bridge of the Sponge Cities Collective. You will support stakeholder coordination, community mobilisation, participatory mapping, and capacity building activities — working alongside the Associate Project Manager (Research – Water Security). This role is ideal for students who want hands‑on experience in the development sector with a strong environmental and urban governance lens.

What You Will Do:

• Assist in facilitating community workshops on urban water challenges and sponge city concepts in Pune neighbourhoods
• Support participatory mapping exercises to document local water bodies, drainage patterns, and resident water use practices
• Help identify and connect with Water Committees, Resident Welfare Associations, and local champions for project activities
• Assist in coordination with local government authorities, gram panchayats, and municipal wards to schedule site visits and meetings
• Prepare structured meeting notes, attendance records, and follow‑up action trackers for multi‑stakeholder events
• Support the team in liaising with knowledge partners such as ACWADAM, Bhujal Abhiyan Trust, and CDSA
• Help organise and coordinate training workshops for municipal officials and NGO personnel
• Assist in developing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in Marathi and English for community use
• Document training sessions through photographs, attendance sheets, and feedback forms
• Conduct basic secondary research on urban water governance frameworks, relevant government schemes, and community‑based water management models
• Assist in conducting household or community‑level surveys using questionnaires
• Compile field observation reports, case notes, and project activity logs
• Support preparation of community‑facing content for PKC’s website and social media on sponge city concepts
• Help document case studies and community stories for the project’s replication toolkit

What You Will Learn:

• Community development practice in an urban environmental governance context
• Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) tools applied to urban water projects
• Multi‑stakeholder coordination across government, NGO, academia, and community actors
• Project management: documentation, reporting, and accountability processes
• The nexus of water security, urban planning, and social equity in an Indian city context
• Theory of Change and logical framework models used in development sector programs

How to Apply: Interested students should submit their latest resume (PDF) through the online form only after filling in the required details.