Summer Internship Materials Specialist 2027

Bright Network; Greater London; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup in London offers a six-week placement in materials consulting for undergraduates. You will explore concrete, metals, glass, timber, and composites, conduct research, visit sites, and draft reports while collaborating across disciplines.

This role emphasises sustainability, lifecycle thinking, and rigorous analysis with mentorship from our Early Careers team, helping you develop professional skills for future opportunities.

Qualifications

• Working towards a master’s degree in Materials Engineering/Science or related field.
• Strong grounding in materials science and sustainability principles.
• Analytical mindset with ability to interpret technical data.

Responsibilities

• Deliver materials consulting activities such as durability assessments and reports.
• Carry out research projects and site visits informed by client challenges.
• Write reports and collaborate across disciplines.

Skills

Materials science

Sustainability

Analytical skills

Data interpretation

Communication

Teamwork

Data analysis

MS Office

Programming basics

Education

Masters degree in Materials/Mechanical/Structural Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Programming basics

Job description

See it differently

You see the world through a unique lens and that’s exactly what we need. We embrace how you see things differently – it’s essential for creating a sustainable future.

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. Globally, each year we recruit hundreds of graduates and students who help us see things differently and solve the most complex challenges facing our clients, climate and communities.

The opportunity

Everything in the built environment relies on the use of materials. Consequently, the materials team enjoys the opportunity to work in virtually every market that Arup operates in, providing specialist materials advice. With experts in concrete, metals, glass, stone, brick, ceramics, timber, and composites, the team advises at all stages of a project, from concept design through the full life cycle.

Our specialists explore different combinations of materials, devise test programs, and carry out design and field research. We apply materials in novel and challenging ways, focussing on the importance of context. For our clients, this means enhanced choice, based on optimised cost/value and reduced risks.

We are passionate about making materials work and many of the team are members of, or advisors to, influential industry bodies.

Our advice is truly independent and based on the most appropriate solution for a given application because our specialists are not linked to material suppliers and do not need to provide work for an in-house test facility.

We reduce our clients’ risks and provide freedom of choice, particularly when involved in the early stages of a project. This enables our clients to design and build more innovative, stimulating, and valuable projects.

Sustainability is at the heart of all our work. We focus on ensuring our use of materials minimises negative impacts across the materials supply chain and lifecycle. We work with materials supply chain to help them develop new, sustainable materials, and understand routes to market.

Our rigorous research on materials and manufacturing methods provides reassurance that the materials are used appropriately, aesthetically, and cost-effectively to produce a robust and durable solution.

On this 6-week placement you will be involved in:

• Delivering materials consulting services, for example, drafting of materials specifications, durability assessments, or forensic failure investigations
• Carry out research projects, informed by client challenges and Skills Network priority research topics
• Visits to site
• Writing reports
• Collaborating across disciplines

Is this role right for you?

For this opportunity, we are seeking the following qualifications, skills and attributes:

• Working towards a master’s degree in relevant academic discipline, such as Materials Engineering / Science, Mechanical Engineering; Structural Engineering; Climate & Sustainability Science.

Skills and experience such as:

• Strong grounding in materials science, sustainability of materials or engineering principles.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; interest in materials performance, durability and sustainability.
• Ability to interpret technical data and research findings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Curiosity about how materials are used in real-world engineering and construction applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Experience with data analysis and standard Microsoft Office tools.

Technical skills and experience such as:

• Familiarity with programming, life cycle assessment, carbon assessment or digital engineering tools would be advantageous.

Alongside your degree, we look for the following core attributes:

• Changemakers: A passion for sustainable development and creating a better world is key.
• Innovative minds: We’re looking for critical thinkers who embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo.
• Growth seekers: You have a growth mindset, always eager to learn and explore new ways of working.
• Adaptable adventurers: You’re ready to take on any challenge that comes your way.

Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities.

We take an approach to flexible working that supports the diversity and wellbeing of our graduates.

Next steps

We’ve designed our application process to be straightforward and supportive, giving you the opportunity to showcase your skills and potential.

The process includes an online application, psychometric testing, application review, case study, interview and offer stage. Our friendly Early Careers team is available throughout the process to answer questions and help you feel confident every step of the way.