Research Support Officer I or II

Funded by the SINO-MALTA Fund (Science and Technology Cooperation) 2025 of Xjenza Malta

And any other projects undertaken by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

Applications are invited for a full-time Research Support Officer (RSO) to work on the BRIDGE-Tech project. BRIDGE-Tech is a project supported by the Xjenza Malta (XM) SINO-MALTA Fund (Science and Technology Cooperation) in which the University of Malta is the lead Maltese partner. The (RSO) may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, within the Faculty of Engineering.

Applicants for this post must be in possession of an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, and preferably also a Master’s degree in an appropriate area, as detailed in paragraph 3 below. Applicants without a Master’s degree must 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.

Applicants for the post must be in possession of a Bachelor’s degree in the area of Mechanical Engineering and preference will be given to applicants having also a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related area, preferably involving the topics and / or application of Robotics and / or Finite Element Analysis. Experience in simulation and / or AI-based optimization will be considered an asset. The selected applicant will be assigned to either an RSO I or RSO II post depending on whether or not they possess 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 an initial period of 12 months, which may be renewed for up to a further 10 months.

The initial remuneration per annum, inclusive of any cost-of-living adjustment shall be €27,207 (RSO I) or €30,327 (RSO II).

The successful candidate will be given the opportunity to read for a Ph.D. or M.Sc. degree (as applicable) related to the project, from the University of Malta.

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, 14th September 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.hr@um.edu.mt

Further Information

The RSO will be responsible for the execution of a number of tasks related to the BRIDGE-Tech project funded by the SINO-MALTA Fund (Science and Technology Cooperation) programme, in which the University of Malta is the lead Maltese partner. The Maltese contribution to BRIDGE-Tech shall involve the development of a new biomimetic gripper intended to be mounted onto a submersible vessel, for the underwater grasping of arbitrarily shaped objects that are fragile and / or difficult to access. The development during the term of the project is aimed to attain Technology Readiness Level 5, consisting of a prototype gripper that can be demonstrated in an underwater environment. The University of Malta (through the Department of Mechanical Engineering) shall lead this part of the project, and the collaborating partners, responsible for developing the main underwater vessel, are Westlake University and Hangzhou Dianzi University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Further information about BRIDGE-Tech may be obtained from Professor 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 Mechanical Engineering, within the Faculty of Engineering.

The main duties and responsibilities will consist of the following:

• Reviewing and familiarization with earlier work related to the project, carried out by all three project partners;
• Researching and reviewing of texts (papers, books and other academic publications) relevant to the research topic;
• Analytical, simulation and experimental research work, and detailed prototype design, as well as prototype construction and evaluation, as required to meet the project objectives;
• Co-ordination of work with other members taking part in the project and project partners;
• Preparing and/or writing of reports, presentations, posters, papers, book chapters, patents and other academic publications relevant to the research topic as required;
• Attending meetings including consortium meetings, seminars, and international conferences related to the project and presenting work carried out in this project at such meetings;
• Writing and taking responsibility of reports based on results including but not limited to the reports which are required for the project;
• Organization of dissemination activities relating to the project, attending public relations and outreach events, and exhibiting the ongoing project results; and
• Any further work related to the BRIDGE-Tech project or other projects as required by the University.

The appointee is 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 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, 21st August 2026