Graduate Materials Specialist

You see the world through a unique lens and that’s exactly what we need. We embrace how you see things differently, ’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.

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.

• 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

For this opportunity, we are seeking the following qualifications, skills, and attributes:
Master’s level (or equivalent) in an academic discipline, such as Materials Engineering / Science, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or 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.

To be considered for a graduate opportunity, your application must include a copy of your academic transcript and meet the following…