Research Support Officer

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Call ID: 95/2026)

Posts of Full-Time Research Support Officer II

Funded by the Research Cluster INSIGHTS (Intelligence and Security Research Cluster) of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences, University of Malta

The posts are related to all projects undertaken by the Research Cluster INSIGHTS.

1. Applications are invited for Full-Time Research Support Officers (RSOs) to carry out duties in relation to the Research Cluster INSIGHTS of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences, University of Malta and all the projects associated with it.

2. Applicants must be in possession of a Master’s degree in a discipline related to humanities or in an area of study related to the topic of the Research Cluster. Applicants are required to demonstrate excellent speaking and writing skills in English. Familiarity with the local context and institutions will be considered favourably.

The University of Malta is an Equal Opportunity employer.

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

4. The posts are for an initial period of 12 months, which may be extended up to 36 months, subject to the availability of the funds. The successful candidates will be expected to start on 1st October 2026 and the initial remuneration per annum (inclusive of any cost-of-living adjustments) shall be €30,327.

5. The successful candidates will be required to enrol in a full-time PhD related to the project with the University of Malta within the first six months of employment. The project shall be related to one of the Research Cluster’s areas of research in:

Pillar 1 – Human-Centric Security: This pillar seeks PhDs on issues related to, but not limited to: social change, migration and racism, trafficking, gender-based violence, climate change and (preferably) their intersection with both legacy and new forms of media and communications, as the bedrock of functioning democracies and secure societies.

Pillar 2 – Technological innovation & cybersecurity: This pillar seeks PhDs on issues related to, but not limited to: forensic linguistics, security technologies, cybercrime, OSINT and digital investigations. The candidate would be required to take an inter and multi-disciplinary research approach blending technological knowledge with human rights.

6. 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 here by not later than Monday, 7th September 2026. In their covering letter, applicants shall include a short description (300 to 500 words) of their planned area of research for their PhD studies, outlining how this is related and relevant to the Research Cluster’s theme.

Late applications will not be considered.

7. Further information may be obtained from our career site and should you have any queries, please send us an email on projects.hrmd@um.edu.mt.

Further Information

1. The Research Cluster’s area of research aspires to become the leading research cluster in the field of intelligence and security research in the Mediterranean, building bridges across multiple disciplines, public and private stakeholders, as well as security practice and academic scholarship.

Security challenges are multi-dimensional and crosscutting, ranging from the more ‘traditional’ forms— such as conflict and war, terrorism and organised crime—to ‘new’ or more ‘non-traditional’ forms— including gender violence, human smuggling, climate change, disinformation and hybrid warfare. The multi-dimensional nature of security and insecurity demands the multi-disciplinary perspective that INSIGHTS seek to provide.

INSIGHTS wishes to build on its members’ current track record of internationally - acknowledged research embracing issues and partners on all continents. We believe that by harnessing the collective wisdom and real-world experiences of a diverse academic community covering an extensive span of subjects from artificial intelligence to intelligence studies, law, education, political science, international relations and gender studies we gain invaluable insights into the ever-changing threat landscape. This allows us to prioritise and address the most critical risks, to individuals, organisations and states alike, empowering actors to make informed decisions and optimise resource allocation.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Dr Aitana Radu at aitana.radu@um.edu.mt.

2. The appointee will be responsible for carrying out research and offering administrative support, with their main duties including:

• Enrol in a full-time PhD related to the Research Cluster’s area of research;
• Carry out administrative duties related to the Research Cluster and its associated projects (e.g. minute taking, organisation of meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences and outreach activities, acquisition raising, report writing, etc.);
• Participate in the Cluster’s activities as the need arises (e.g. academic conferences, public outreach activities, scientific manuscript writing, etc.);
• Administer and maintain the Research Cluster’s website;
• Assist the other Cluster RSOs and members in applying for further project funding and research grants. Keep detailed progress reports and abide to all the conditions imposed by the Cluster and its projects; and
• Perform any other tasks related to the Cluster as instructed by the Research Cluster Chair(s) and Executive Committee.

3. The appointee will be expected to work at such places and during such hours as may be determined by the University authorities.

4. The selection procedure will involve:

1. scrutiny of qualifications, research plan 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.

5. The posts are 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. 

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