Posts of Full-Time Research Support Officer I - Department of Communications & Computer Engineering

University of Malta, Malta

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 12 Sep 2021

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Call ID: 142/2021)

Posts of Full-Time Research Support Officer I

Project – “Using emerging technologies to tackle illegally dumped refuse in hard to access locations”

Funded by the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA)

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

  • Applications are invited for two Research Support Officers to carry out duties in relation to the Applied Research Services project funded by the Malta Information Technology Agency and in which the University of Malta is a collaborator. The Research Support Officers may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Communications & Computer Engineering within the Faculty of Information & Communication Technology.
  • Applicants should be in possession of a Bachelor's degree in a field related to Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering and any other related area. In addition, applicants would preferably also have some background in signal processing and machine learning, as well as demonstrable experience in software development, ideally in a Linux environment.

    • The University of Malta is an Equal Opportunity employer.

  • The selected candidate must be living in Malta for the period of employment.
  • The full-time posts are for a period of 12 months and carry an initial remuneration of €20,800 per annum.
  • The selected candidates will be required to read for a Master’s degree with the Faculty of Information & Communication Technology.
  • 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 Sunday, 12th September 2021. Late applications will not be considered.
  • Further information may be obtained from http://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/recruitments and should you have any queries, please send us an email on [email protected] .

    • Further Information

  • The illegal dumping of waste in remote areas pose several risks to the environment and its natural heritage. The main aim of this project is to use modern technologies to facilitate the process of determining where and when cleanups are necessary, and what resources are required, so as to make the most efficient use of what is available. In this project we will use remote sensing and AI techniques to automatically detect recent instances of significant illegal dumping, allowing the Cleansing and Maintenance Division (CMD) to be aware of these events as early as possible. The contributions of this project will follow two parallel approaches, analysing freely available satellite imagery using AI techniques to automatically detect instances of significant illegal dumping, and report these to the CMD for further action. One approach will focus on Sentinel-2 optical images, while the second approach will consider the use of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, which have very different properties.
  • Further information may be obtained by contacting Professor Johann Briffa at [email protected] . The Research Support Officers may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Communications & Computer Engineering within the Faculty of Information & Communication Technology.
  • The appointees will be expected to undertake the following tasks:
    • Coordinate with CMD to create a suitable dataset of before and after satellite images surrounding major events;
    • Curating dataset and manual labelling of training data;
    • Review of related literature;
    • Development of processing pipeline, implementing chosen algorithms;
    • Running experiments and interpreting results;
    • Write the interim and final report as requested by MITA; and
    • Present the work done to government entities in the form of a workshop
  • 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:
  • 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 posts are for a 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, 26th August 2021


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