Post/s of Full-Time Research Support Officer II - Institute of Aerospace Technologies

Call for Applications (Call ID: 36/2024)

Post/s of Full-Time Research Support Officer II

Project ASTRA – SESAR3 Joint Undertaking “AI-enabled tactical FMP hotspot prediction and resolution”

And Any Other Projects Undertaken by the Institute of Aerospace Technologies

Applications are invited for a Research Support Officer II (RSO) to work on a full-time basis on “AI-enabled tactical FMP hotspot prediction and resolution” (ASTRA), a project financed by SESAR3 Joint Undertaking under the powers delegated by the European Commission. The selected applicant will develop Machine Learning algorithms to predict and resolve traffic congestion (aka hotspots) in manned airspace. This work will be carried out in collaboration with project partners SKYSOFT-ATM, SKYGUIDE, INGENAV and DEEP BLUE.

Applicants should be in possession of a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, or a related area.

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 up to 28th February 2026 and carries an initial annual remuneration (inclusive of any cost-of-living adjustment) of €28,829.

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 formhttps://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-projects by not later than Sunday, 14th April 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

The RSO will be responsible for the execution of a number of tasks related to ASTRA, a project financed by SESAR3 Joint Undertaking, in which the University of Malta is the lead partner. Currently, various Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management (ATFCM) measures are implemented during the pre-tactical and tactical flow management phases to resolve air traffic hotspots; however, these are generally based on flight plan data. On the day of operation, an aircraft's actual trajectory may differ significantly from its flight plan and, as a result, hotspots still occur and these have to be resolved by Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) without sufficient advance notice. With today's ATFCM tools, tactical Air Traffic Control (ATC) hotspots are only identified up to around 20 minutes in advance. The aim of ASTRA is to bridge the gap between the Flow Management Position (FMP) and the planner Controller Working Position (CWP) by developing an AI-based tool for FMP personnel which can predict and resolve hotspots earlier than today, before they are within the scope of the sector planner.

The project is being carried out by a multidisciplinary consortium of 5 partners from 4 countries: the University of Malta (Malta), INGENAV (Spain), DEEP BLUE (Italy), SKYSOFT-ATM (Switzerland) and SKYGUIDE (Switzerland).  Further information may be obtained by contacting Dr Ing. Jason Gauci at jason.gauci@um.edu.mt.

The main duties and responsibilities of the appointee will consist of carrying out research duties including:

1. working closely with the project coordinator and project partners throughout the project;
2. developing and testing Machine Learning algorithms using programming languages such as Python;
3. producing project deliverables within the time frames specified in the project description;
4. attending project-related meetings in Malta and abroad;
5. writing scientific conference or journal papers related to the project, and presenting them at relevant conferences;
6. assisting in dissemination activities related to the project;
7. abiding by the conditions imposed by the project; and
8. performing any other project-related tasks as instructed by the project coordinator.

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:

a.   scrutiny of qualifications and experience claimed and supported by testimonials and/or certificates (copies to be included with the application);

b.  shortlisting; and

c.   an interview and / or extended interview.

The post is for a period of up to 28th February 2026, 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, 20th March 2024