Job Information
- Organisation/Company: University of Malta
- Department: Office for Human Resources Management & Development
- Research Field: Other
- Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)
- Positions: Research Support Positions
- Application Deadline: 2 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Malta)
- Country: Malta
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Part-time
- Hours Per Week: 10
- EU Research Framework Programme: Not funded by a EU programme
- Staff position within a Research Infrastructure: No
Offer Description
Call for Applications (Call ID: 138/2026)
Post/s of Part-Time Research Support Officer II
Project EN GUARDE VR – “Exploring our interactive heritage through sword-fighting education in Virtual Reality”
Funded by Xjenza Malta’s FUSION R&I Technology Development Programme
Institute of Digital Games
Applications are invited for a part-time Research Support Officer (RSO) to work on the EN GUARDE VR project funded by Xjenza Malta, in which the University of Malta is a coordinator. The project is coordinated by the Institute of Digital Games.
Applicants must be in possession of:
- Master’s degree in an appropriate area pertaining to project management;
- Demonstrated experience in project management, especially in funded research projects such as Horizon Europe or Erasmus+;
- Experience in writing technical reports for funded research projects;
- Experience with historical sword fighting;
- Experience in training and curriculum design in historical sword fighting will be considered a plus;
- Experience in game design, especially for serious/educational games, will be considered a plus;
- Experience in scientific and commercial dissemination (such as game conventions, public speaking, press pieces, and/or academic conferences) will be considered a plus;
- Experience working with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams;
- Good communication skills, both oral and written (an excellent command of English is essential).
The University of Malta is an Equal Opportunity employer.
The selected candidate must be living in Malta for the period of employment.
The position is for a period of 12 months, which may be renewed for up to a further 24 months, and will entail 10 hours of work per week.
The initial remuneration per hour, inclusive of any cost-of-living adjustment shall be €14.58.
Applicants must submit their letter of application (including motivation), their curriculum vitae including three referees, and their certificates (certificates of degrees must be submitted in English), through this form https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-projects by not later than Monday, 2nd November 2026.
Late applications will not be considered.
Further information may be obtained from https://www.um.edu.mt/hr/recruitment/projects/ and should you have any queries, please send us an email on projects.hrmd@um.edu.mt
Further Information
The RSO will be working on the Project EN GUARDE VR – “Exploring our interactive heritage through sword-fighting education in Virtual Reality” funded by Xjenza Malta. The project tackles the technical challenges of Mixed Reality in a unique use-case: historical sword fighting instruction. Historical sword fighting is both a sport and a part of intangible cultural heritage. EN GUARDE VR aims to address the following research questions regarding Mixed Reality technologies: (a) Can hand and body tracking be done on a commercial-grade mobile phone? (b) Can tracked data be used for direct feedback within the Head-Mounted Display to improve the user’s pose and actions? Historical sword fighting is an ideal test-case for the technology targets: it relies on accurate hand positioning and posture but is also a fast-paced competition between two contestants. Simultaneously tracking body and hand movements of two interacting players is under-researched, and forms a research objective for EN GUARDE VR with broader applications in contact sports, technology-enhanced learning, and immersive arts.
Further information about the project may be obtained from Prof. Antonios Liapis (email: antonios.liapis@um.edu.mt).
The main duties and responsibilities of the appointee will include tasks as per lists below:
- General management of the project;
- Assist in game design tasks and documentation for a Mixed Reality game on sword fighting instruction;
- Produce deliverables and related reports within the stipulated time frames as specified in the project description;
- Keep detailed progress reports and abide to all the conditions imposed by the project;
- Assist the sword fighting experts in designing appropriate curricula for use in-game, bridging the gap between technical expertise and practical sword fighting knowledge;
- Assist in the dissemination process via workshops, game exhibitions and sword fighting events;
- Travel and attend meetings/conferences as the need arises;
- Take part in the submission of local and international research proposals to sustain related research beyond the funding of the project; and
- Perform any other tasks as instructed by the principal investigator at the University of Malta and key experts.
The appointee will be expected to work at such places and during such hours as may be determined by the University authorities.
4. 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 an initial period of 12 months, 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, 19th October 2026
Where to apply
Website: https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-projects
Requirements
Research Field: Other
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Applicants must be in possession of:
- Master’s degree in an appropriate area pertaining to project management;
- Demonstrated experience in project management, especially in funded research projects such as Horizon Europe or Erasmus+;
- Experience in writing technical reports for funded research projects;
- Experience with historical sword fighting;
- Experience in training and curriculum design in historical sword fighting will be considered a plus;
- Experience in game design, especially for serious/educational games, will be considered a plus;
- Experience in scientific and commercial dissemination (such as game conventions, public speaking, press pieces, and/or academic conferences) will be considered a plus;
- Experience working with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams;
- Good communication skills, both oral and written (an excellent command of English is essential).
Specific Requirements
Live in Malta
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: University of Malta
Country: Malta
Contact
City: Msida
Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/recruitment
Street: University of Malta Msida MSD 2080 MALTA
E-Mail: projects.hr@um.edu.mt