Project TALC - Post/s of Full-Time or Part-Time Research Support Officer I or II - Department of Artificial Intelligence

22 Dec 2025
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Malta

Department

Office for Human Resources Management & Development

Research Field

Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions

Research Support Positions

Country

Malta

Application Deadline

12 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Malta)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Call ID: 217/2025)

Post/s of Full-Time or Part-Time Research Support Officer I or II 

Project TALC – “Targeted Aerial Litter Collection” 

Xjenza Malta under the FUSION R&I Technology Development Programme LITE

And any other projects undertaken by the Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

 

 

Applications are invited for a Research Support Officer (RSO) in the area of Mechanical Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence, to carry out duties in relation to the TALC project, which is funded by Xjenza Malta. The RSO may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

 

Applicants must be in possession of an undergraduate degree in Engineering or in a closely related field, and preferably (or necessarily if the undergraduate degree is not in Engineering) also a Master's degree in an appropriate area, as detailed in paragraph 3 below. Applicants without a Master's degree should preferably have a classification of at least Second Class (Upper Division) in their undergraduate Engineering degree. Very good knowledge of English is a prerequisite, and previous experience in report writing will be considered an asset.

 

The area of the Bachelor’s degree for this project must be either in Mechanical Engineering or in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with preference being given to applicants having also a Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related area, preferably in the area of Robotics or a related topic.  A Bachelor's degree in an area closely related to Engineering, as well as a Master’s degree in an area that is strongly relevant to the general objectives of TALC will also be considered. The selected applicant will be assigned to either an RSO I or RSO II post, depending on whether or not the successful candidate possesses a relevant Master's degree.

 

The University of Malta is an Equal Opportunity employer.

 

The selected candidate must be living in Malta for the period of employment.

 

The post is for a period of up to 56 weeks.  A part-time position will entail 20 hours per week, or according to the availability of the successful candidate.

 

 

The initial remuneration per annum / per hour (inclusive of any cost-of-living adjustments) shall be €27,207 / €13.08  (RSO I); or €30,327 / €14.58 (RSO II).  

 

The successful candidate will be offered the opportunity to read for either an MSc or a PhD in an area related to the project.

 

Candidates must upload their covering letter, curriculum vitae, and certificates (certificates should be submitted in English) and contact details of at least two referees through this form https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-projects by not later than Monday, 12th January 2026. 

 

Late applications will not be considered. 

 

Further information may be obtained from http://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/recruitment and should you have any queries, please send us an email on projects.hrmd@um.edu.mt .

 

 

Further Information

 

The Targeted Aerial Litter Collection (TALC) project aims to develop and validate an innovative system for retrieving litter from difficult-to-access terrestrial environments. This project will integrate a human-piloted Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an adaptable robotic gripper, and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered decision-making framework. The AI will autonomously assess litter retrievability, considering object characteristics and environmental factors, to guide the grasping action. Key objectives include designing and optimising the gripper for common litter types (e.g., plastic bottles, metal cans), developing robust AI assessment algorithms, and conducting progressive field trials in collaboration with Malta's Cleansing and Maintenance Division (CMD) to validate system effectiveness across varied terrains. TALC intends to advance the integrated system from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 6, demonstrating a prototype in a relevant operational environment. The project seeks to enhance the efficiency and safety of public cleansing operations, offering a novel solution for managing waste in areas currently challenging for manual or ground-based methods. This initiative aligns with national priorities for digital technology application and sustainable environmental management. Further information may be obtained by contacting Dr Dylan Seychell at dylan.seychell@um.edu.mt or Prof. Ing. Michael A. Saliba at michael.saliba@um.edu.mt . The RSO may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

 

The appointee will be responsible for carrying out research with the main duties including: 

Assistance in the management of the project and working closely with the project partner and the funding body throughout the duration of the project;

Producing project deliverables within the time frames specified in the project description;

Preparation of scientific publications related to the project;

Travelling to attend meetings/conferences as the need arises;

Execution of dissemination activities related to the project;

assisting in the preparation of research proposals to sustain the research activity beyond the funding of the project; and

Performing any other project-related tasks as instructed by the principal investigator. 

 

The appointee will be expected to work at such places and during such hours as may be determined by the University authorities.

 

The selection procedure will involve:

• scrutiny of qualifications and experience claimed and supported by testimonials and/or certificates (copies to be included with the application);
• shortlisting; and
• an interview and / or extended interview.

 

The post is for a period up to 56 weeks, which will be subject to a probationary period and to the provisions of the Statutes, Regulations and Bye-Laws of the University of Malta which are now or which may hereafter be in force.

 

Office of the University, 

Msida, 22nd December 2025

Where to apply

Website

https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-projects

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants must be in possession of an undergraduate degree in Engineering or in a closely related field, and preferably (or necessarily if the undergraduate degree is not in Engineering) also a Master's degree in an appropriate area, as detailed in paragraph 3 below. Applicants without a Master's degree should preferably have a classification of at least Second Class (Upper Division) in their undergraduate Engineering degree. Very good knowledge of English is a prerequisite, and previous experience in report writing will be considered an asset.

 

The area of the Bachelor’s degree for this project must be either in Mechanical Engineering or in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with preference being given to applicants having also a Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related area, preferably in the area of Robotics or a related topic.  A Bachelor's degree in an area closely related to Engineering, as well as a Master’s degree in an area that is strongly relevant to the general objectives of TALC will also be considered. The selected applicant will be assigned to either an RSO I or RSO II post, depending on whether or not the successful candidate possesses a relevant Master's degree.

Specific Requirements

Live in Malta

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Malta

Country

Malta

Geofield

Contact

City

Msida

Website

http://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/recruitment

Street

University of Malta Msida MSD 2080 MALTA

E-Mail

projects.hrmd@um.edu.mt

STATUS: EXPIRED

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