If you are an architect, designer, engineer or builder, and whether you are a student or recent graduate, at the peak of your career, or close to retirement, as long as you are passionate about and interested in the sustainability, durability, efficiency and elegance of structures and buildings, feel free to contact us for opportunities.
At present, Summum Engineering is a sole entrepreneurship, but intends to grow towards a social, for-profit cooperative enterprise, as a format that, unlike traditional corporate structures, can maintain an innovative and inclusive culture. We invite other like-minded and entrepreneurial people to join.
Research internship | graphic statics (ca. 6 months)
Supervisor: ir. Rik Rozendaal
Duration: ca. 6 months between February and August 2022
Compensation: 350 euro/month
What is it about?
Graphic statics is a graphical method (pen and paper) used for the design and/or analysis of structures, and was popular and common in the 19th and early 20th century. It is often still taught today in some form (e.g. Cremona diagrams), but generally has fallen into disuse. Recently it has been extended to three dimensions, and both 2D and 3D graphic statics have now been implemented in parametric computer-aided design (CAD) software (e.g. compas, PolyFrame, 3D Graphics Statics). This creates new opportunities for Dutch designers.
What will you do?
You will contribute to ongoing research into the application of 2D and 3D graphic statics in contemporary Dutch design practice. Part of the work consists of:
- contributing to a Dutch glossary, meant to create a common language among Dutch designers that wish to use graphics statics;
- contributing to an online Dutch reference work, to explain central concepts in both 2D and 3D graphic statics;
- organizing the digitization of all existing, historical Dutch and Flemish literature on 2D graphic statics; and,
- co-developing a curriculum of simple examples, possibly relying on recent computer implementations, for use in design workshops.
The research is funded by the Creative Industries Fund NL.
What are we looking for?
You have a strong interest in structural design and engineering, history and pedagogy. You enjoy diving into historical documents, engineering books and scientific literature. You are able to categorize, organize and summarize information from various sources. You can explain difficult concepts from geometry and engineering to a lay audience (e.g. your grandma) in understandable and vivid ways.
You have:
- an ongoing university education in architecture, engineering or related field; and,
- a good command of the English language, spoken and written.
You could also have:
- some experience with graphic statics;
- a thorough knowledge of Grasshopper/Rhino and/or Python; and,
- a good command of the Dutch language, spoken and written.
Internship (2-6 months)
Summum currently offers an internship for a student with a background in structural design and/or engineering. The student should ideally have some (basic) experience with parametric modelling and/or programming as well as making coffee. He/she will be able to further develop these skills, while working on ongoing projects and business development. Both short-term (e.g. summer) and longer term internships are possible.
For international applicants, please note that although the internship comes with normal compensation, this is insufficient to cover the cost of living in Rotterdam (see related information from Erasmus University).
The intern is responsible for determining if a residence or work permit needs to be obtained, and doing so if that is the case (a starting point is this flowchart from Nuffic). Some permits (for “trainees”) require you to be enrolled at a university, and secure an income equal to 50 or 100% of Dutch minimum wage. If you are not enrolled, some permits (for “apprentices”) require you to secure a minimum wage income, which Summum is unable to offer to interns (see information from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service).
Open application (40-100%)
At present, we do not have any open positions, but feel free to send an open application along with your CV. We could keep you in mind for future positions.
Please explain why you are applying to our company specifically, and indicate if you have a preference for a part-time or full-time position.
© Ossip van Duivenbode
© Ossip van Duivenbode
© Titia Hahne
Final thesis (40-45 ECTS)
We can supervise graduate students who share our interests, and our passion for and curiosity about structures, for their final Master thesis. If you feel that Summum and one of its team members can add specific value to your experience as a graduate student, you are invited to reach out to us.
We are open to discuss and help develop your own proposal for a topic. Of course, the final proposal has to be approved by a supervising teacher/professor at your institute. We also maintain our own list of potential topics in the areas of lightweight structures, digital fabrication, parametric modelling, computational optimization and natural materials.
Summum is offering both TU/e and TU Delft to (co-)supervise/mentor one graduate student each on an annual basis.
TU Eindhoven, Built Environment
The thesis (45 ECTS) is supervised in collaboration with the Section Structural Design at the Department of the Built Environment. The procedure is as follows:
- For more information or details contact either KOers (pr@koerstue.nl) or Summum directly.
- Contact Summum to discuss your own topic, or topics that we can offer. The topic has to be unrelated to our commercial activities, such that the thesis work cannot be construed as an internship.
- Contact ir. Arjan Habraken to confirm the chosen topic and to discuss potential supervisors from TU Eindhoven. There is a standard minimum of two supervisors, including a supervising professor, from TU Eindhoven itself.
- Visit Summum Engineering for a formal interview.
- Confirm the rest of your committee.
TU Delft, Civil Engineering
The thesis (40 ECTS) is supervised in consultation with the Section Applied Mechanics, Chair for Structural Design / Building Engineering at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. The procedure is as follows:
- For more information or details contact us directly.
- Contact Summum to discuss your own topic, or topics that we can offer. TU Delft prefers the topic to have or relate to practical application, for involvement of a company to make the most sense.
- Contact the graduation coordinator of your Master track to confirm the chosen topic and to discuss potential supervisors from TU Delft for your committee. There is a standard minimum of three supervisors, including a supervising professor, from TU Delft itself.
- Visit Summum Engineering for a formal interview.
- Confirm the rest of your committee.
TU Delft, Architecture
The Department of Architectural Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, does not allow external committee members at present. Therefore, Summum Engineering would have to co-supervise in an unofficial capacity, without the ability to evaluate and grade your work. Furthermore, the faculty prefers graduate theses at larger companies that can offer future employment, meaning the decision to carry out your thesis with Summum Engineering has to be argued with your committee. If you feel both these issues outweigh your interest in Summum Engineering, then feel free to contact us to discuss this further.
Not from these two institutes? But interested nonetheless? Feel free to contact us to discuss possibilities!
Requirements for applications
Please indicate the following:
- Explain why you are applying to our company specifically. How do your background, interests and/or learning goals, fit with our company profile and portfolio?
- Indicate if you have a preference for a part-time or full-time internship, and, if known, what the preferred starting date and duration would be.
- Indicate your awareness that Summum Engineering is a sole proprietorship, meaning the internship offers a different experience than at a regular engineering firm.
- For international applicants, inform us if you have external funding. If not, then acknowledge that our internship compensation is insufficient to cover cost of living.
