Doc. Ing. Daniel Kytýř, Ph.D., leads internships at the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the CAS (ÚTAM), where you can dive into the world of buildings and materials, as well as archaeology and the preservation of historical monuments – all thanks to modern diagnostic methods. His team has hosted many Czech and international interns, who appreciate the friendly atmosphere and the chance to get involved and try things hands-on. What you can take away from the internship and how its supervisor Dan evaluates it, you’ll find out below.
Could you briefly summarize what the internships in your team focus on?
Our internships are mainly focused on experimental mechanics and modern methods for monitoring materials and structures. Interns get to try working with 3D printing, computed tomography, or digital image correlation – tools we use daily in our research projects. This way, they get direct experience with real experiments and data analysis that help us understand the behavior of modern materials and contribute to developing new structural solutions.
What prior knowledge do you expect from interns?
No special knowledge or skills are required. Everything important can be learned along the way. What matters most is genuine interest in the field, a positive attitude toward the natural sciences, and curiosity about why things behave the way they do. It’s not just about “touching” the final result, but about trying to understand the principles behind it. Anyone who enjoys asking questions and discovering new things will always find their place here.
What do you consider the most important thing for interns to take away from the internship?
For me, the most important thing is that students learn to think about the principles behind every measurement or result. I try to show them that science isn’t about blindly completing tasks, but about curiosity and finding connections. Teamwork is also crucial – understanding that everyone has their role and responsibility to the group, and that research success is always a shared achievement. When something surprises them or “doesn’t work,” I see it as the perfect learning opportunity. And if they leave the internship with an even stronger desire to explore the world around them, that makes me twice as happy.
You’ve supervised several international students, including some from the USA. Do you notice any differences between international and Czech interns – in their approach to work, communication, or expectations?
It’s hard to generalize, but there is definitely a difference. American students tend to approach everything with a typical “American smile” – even small progress was instantly awesome to them. It was especially noticeable when they presented their results, because that’s where their natural ability to “sell” an idea really stood out. On the other hand, when Czech and American approaches meet in one team, it often makes for an ideal mix – enthusiasm combined with a healthy dose of critical thinking.
What does the first day of an intern at ITAM look like? Do they need anything specific?
We always start the first day with coffee and a safety briefing. 🙂
Then comes a tour of the lab, where we show the most interesting equipment and current results, and together we figure out which technical area the internship will focus on. The student gets to meet all team members, and if they start on a Monday, they also join our weekly department meeting where we discuss last week’s results and plans for the week ahead.
What do you personally take away from supervising internships? Is there something you particularly enjoy or find inspiring when working with students?
What I enjoy most is the voluntary aspect – students who come to us do it because they truly want to. Their motivation is often higher than in regular university courses or even among thesis students, which makes the collaboration really pleasant. It’s rewarding to see someone dive into a topic on their own and start coming up with their own ideas.