Post/s of Full-Time Research Support Officer II - University of Malta HERITAGE Research Cluster

Organisation/Company

University of Malta

Department

Office for Human Resources Management & Development

Research Field

Chemistry
Engineering
Physics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions

Research Support Positions

Country

Malta

Application Deadline

17 Feb 2025 - 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

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Call ID: 17/2025)

Post/s of Full-Time Research Support Officer II

University of Malta HERITAGE Research Cluster – “ Knowledge discovery for HERITAGE materials: multi-scalar approaches to resource mapping, building databases and data mining’’ Pillars 3, 4, 5.

Applications are invited for the post of Research Support Officer (RSO) to carry out duties in relation to Pillars 3 ,4, and 5 of the University of Malta HERITAGE Research Cluster. The RSO will be based in the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage, Faculty for the Built Environment, and work with the HERITAGE Research Cluster as further outlined below.

The selected RSO will be expected to register for PhD studies in the first year of employment, developing and submitting within this period a proposal for doctoral research in a theme endorsed by the Cluster and consistent with the research goals of pillars 3, 4 and 5.

Further information on the HERITAGE Research Cluster and the different Pillars are given below.

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

Requirements for the RSO position supporting Pillars 3, 4 and 5.

• Applications must be in possession of a Master’s degree in one or more of the following subjects: Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Geosciences, Materials Science, ICT, Statistics and Operations Research, or related subjects; 
• Applicants with experience in Data Modelling and/or having good Database Skills will be favourably considered; and
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English is a must.

The ideal candidate will also have some or all the following aptitudes, all of which will be considered an asset during the selection process:

• Ability to work independently but also have a strong collaborative work ethic;
• Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate effective communication and collaboration with colleagues, community members, and external partners; and
• A commitment to ongoing learning and professional development in areas related to heritage and heritage science, data modelling, databases, heritage building materials, environment and weathering processes.

The University of Malta is an Equal Opportunity employer. 

The post is initially for a period of 1 year, which may be extended up to a further 4 years, if all conditions are met and subject to the availability of funds.

The initial remuneration per annum (inclusive of any cost-of-living adjustment) shall be €29,578.

Candidates must upload their covering letter, curriculum vitae, and certificates (certificates should be submitted in English) and contact details of at least two academic or professional referees through thisform https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-projects by not later than Monday, 17th February 2025. 

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 aim of the HERITAGE Research Cluster is Knowledge discovery for HERITAGE materials: Multi-scalar approaches to resource mapping, building databases and data mining.  It is dedicated to heritage research, while seeking out and adopting modern technological advancements, to collect, collate and make readily available – under FAIR principles – heritage related data ranging from archival and historical information to scientific data related to heritage, with the primary focus being local heritage. New knowledge will be discovered and accrued by some of the Pillars, through the use of cutting-edge tools and methods and will feed into the databases created by all of the Pillars working closely together.

The HERITAGE Research Cluster brings together twenty-four researchers from thirteen different Departments across  eight Faculties, as well as one Institute, bringing together a diversity of specializations all related to HERITAGE research. The Research Cluster is composed of 6 Pillars. The present call is for an RSO to support the activities of Pillars 3, 4 and 5. A short description of all Pillars is given below.

Within the first year of employment, the RSO together with the members of Pillars 3, 4 and 5 will identify a theme endorsed by the Cluster and consistent with the research goals of Pillars 3, 4 and 5 and should register for a full-time PhD.

If the chosen RSO does not register for a PhD, the contract will not be renewed.

Description of the HERITAGE Research Cluster Pillars:

Pillar 1 – Archival Heritage

The focus of Pillar 1 is tracing and mapping heritage materials in archival holdings. The Pillar aims to support Heritage Institutions and the other Pillars of the project (mainly Pillar 6) to identify documented materials (clay, stone, marble etc.) that provide the core evidence of human activity throughout the period 1500-1900. The aim is to carry out research in a variety of sources (published material, archives, and other cultural heritage collections) in order to map the identification, use, export or import of raw materials such as clay, stone and marble.

Pillar 2 – Ecclesiastical Heritage

Pillar 2 focuses on contributing to the setting up of a searchable engine through the detailed mapping of former holdings of ecclesiastical property in Malta through the study of unexplored series within the Diocesan archive that contain detailed information on such holdings and their development through the passage of time from the modern to the contemporary era. Such detailed inventories could link up to holdings in state and notarial archives and will aim to promote a deeper understanding of the ever-changing landscape of the Maltese islands.

Pillar 3 – Heritage Materials

Pillar 3 will focus on Heritage Materials, specifically  inorganic building materials and especially the local stone (including reconstituted stone), also to build up searchable databases, primarily on the micro and meso scales.  This will be through researching on composition and properties, and weathering of the local stone and its interactions with the environment, whilst also building digital models to help understand weathering processes and their monitoring.

Pillar 4 – Heritage and Environment

Pillar 4 is concerned with the characterisation of the environmental conditions impacting heritage artefacts. Focus will be placed on the case of the Mnajdra Temples. The scales at which research will be performed range from macro scale climatic measurements down to the micro-scale close to or on the surface of the stone. The impacts of climate change on the arising micro-climate in the temple will also be investigated. The ultimate purpose is to provide accurate environmental conditions prediction so as to feed in other pillars such as Pillar 3 - Heritage Materials. Future degradation scenarios will also be studied using AI techniques.

Pillar 5 – Digital Models

Pillar 5 will research in depth non-invasive prospection, the generation and use of digital models on a range of scales from landscapes to sites to individual objects, digital twins in direct collaboration with the other Pillars of the Heritage Research Cluster. Specific research projects will be developed progressively as the Research Cluster matures and specific research questions emerge but will include multiscale 3D modelling of cultural heritage elements. The main drivers will be the domain experts who can define the data used and the problem/s that need to be solved.

Pillar 6 – Cultural Heritage Landscapes

The focus of Pillar 6 is traditional materials extracted from the Maltese landscape, ranging from clay to stone, to materials harvested from plant and animal sources. This will closely complement the efforts led by other pillars and focus on traditional materials that needed to be imported from outside the Maltese archipelago, ranging from polychrome marbles to timber beams and pigments for painting. A primary focus for Pillar 6 will be the period from 1500 to 1900, because of the wealth of archival documentation available for that period, which will be mined in close collaboration with Pillars 1 and 2.

  Further information may be obtained by contacting Prof. JoAnn Cassar at joann.cassar@um.edu.mt .

The RSO for Pillars 3, 4 and 5 will be responsible for the execution of various tasks related to carrying out a systematic review of related literature and compile a state-of-the art report, to identify existing resources and databases, and perform exploratory analyses on them, and to learn how to use new computational tools within the Heritage Research Cluster. This will be under the guidance of the different academics and researchers within the three Pillars, coming from the Departments of Conservation and Built Heritage, Environmental Design, Civil and Structural Engineering, Chemistry, Geosciences, Classics and Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence, Computer and Information Systems, Criminology and the Institute of Earth System. The Principal Investigator is from the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage.

Based on the gaps identified, and together with the members of Pillars 3, 4, and 5, the RSO will develop a research proposal to register for a full-time PhD degree. 

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 in English to be included with the application); 

shortlisting; and

an interview and / or extended interview.

The RSO will be engaged in the first instance for a period of 1 year. Within this year, the appointed RSO will be expected to submit an MPhil/PhD research proposal to the University of Malta, in a theme endorsed by the Cluster and consistent with the research goals of pillars 3, 4 and 5 .

If the above conditions are met, the engagement may be extended for up to a further four years, renewable on an annual basis, subject to satisfactory progress reports on the doctoral research, and to a successful upgrade during or earlier than the first six months of year 3.

The post 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, 27th January 2025

Website

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

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Live in Malta

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Malta

Country

Malta

Geofield

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

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