Posts of Full-Time Research Support Officer II and III - Department of Communications and Computer Engineering

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Call ID: 06/2024)

Posts of Full-Time Research Support Officer II and III

Project DiHICS – “Digital Health Inspection of Concrete Bridge Structures in Coastal Areas with Wall-Climbing Robot and Computer Vision”

MCST SINO-MALTA Fund Programme 2023

And any other projects undertaken by the Department of Communications and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

Applications are invited for two Research Support Officers (RSOs) to carry out duties in relation to the DiHICS Project which is funded by the SINO-MALTA Fund programme of the Malta Council for Science & Technology, and in which the University of Malta is the lead partner. The RSOs may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Communications and Computer Engineering, within the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

Applicants should be in possession of a Master’s degree and/or a PhD in one of the following areas: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Concrete, Reinforced Concrete Structures and Degradation of Materials or related areas.  Prior background or experience in one or more of the following topics will be considered an asset: Computer Vision, Image Processing, Machine Learning, Software Development, and Appraisal of Structures.

The University of Malta is an Equal Opportunity employer.

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

The posts are for a period up to 19 months. 

The remuneration per annum (inclusive of any cost-of-living adjustment) shall be €28,829 (RSO II), and €35,111 (RSO III).

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 Friday, 9^th February 2024. 

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

Concrete infrastructure including bridge structures in coastal areas can experience faster deterioration posing a threat to the users of the infrastructure. In order to ensure safety, infrastructures including concrete bridges need to be periodically inspected for defects and more importantly their changes from previous inspections. This process is labour intensive and normally requires the closure of the infrastructure during these inspections. Therefore, digital automated techniques are desirable to reduce inspection times, avoid infrastructure closures, and reduce safety risks to inspection personnel. Wall climbing robots provide a possible solution to automate the capture of imagery of the concrete structure. This data is then processed and analysed using computer vision and machine learning techniques to understand if there are new defects or if there are any changes to previously identified defects, such as cracks. The output is then mapped to a virtual reality environment through which surveyors can inspect the health of the bridge and evaluate risks.  This project is a collaboration between the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology and the Faculty for the Built Environment at the University of Malta, The Department of Civil Engineering at Zhejiang University, CCCC Highway consultants Co. LTD and Zhejiang Communications Investment Group Co. LTD. Further information may be obtained by contacting Prof. Carl James Debono at carl.debono@um.edu.mt. The RSOs may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Communications and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

The appointees will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

1. conduct research throughout the duration of the project;
2. produce deliverables and related reports within the stipulated time frames as specified in the project description;
3. attend project internal meetings and online consortium meetings;
4. prepare scientific conference or journal papers related to the project;
5. travel and attend meetings/conferences as the need arises; and
6. perform any other project related task as instructed by the project coordinator and key experts.

The appointees 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:

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

The posts are for a period up to 19 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, 23rd January 2024