Call for Applications
Resident Academic Post in Disability Studies
Department of Disability Studies - Faculty for Social Wellbeing
Applications are invited for a Resident Academic post in Disability Studies in the Department of Disability Studies, within the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, of the University of Malta.
The appointee will be required to contribute to lecturing, research, supervision, administrative, outreach duties and other activities at the Department of Disability Studies within the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, and as may be required by the University.
The appointment will be on an initial definite four (4)-year contract of employment, subject to the successful completion of a one (1)-year probationary period. Following the successful completion of the probationary period, the Resident Academic will commence a two (2) -year Tenure Track process. At the conclusion of this two (2) -year period of service, the Resident Academic will be subject to a Tenure Review, meaning that, if they are successful, their employment will be converted into one of an indefinite term.
Requirements for Appointment as Resident Academic
Candidates must be in possession of a PhD or a D.Phil. in the field of Disability Studies or related areas obtained from a reputable University. Applicants with professional doctorates are not eligible. Candidates with a Master’s degree in Disability Studies will be considered an asset. Extensive, direct professional experience in the disability sector is essential for this role. Applicants must also be strongly familiar with the local disability context. Moreover, the candidate should have at least 5 years relevant teaching experience in disability-related subjects. Given the role of the Department of Disability Studies, the University strongly welcomes applications from disabled candidates. The successful applicant will be required to present the original certificate upon request by the Office for Human Resources Management & Development, and in the event that their Ph.D. or D.Phil. certification is from a University outside Malta, they are also expected to present a confirmation of recognition by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) – see https://mfhea.mt/academic-qualifications/.
The Resident Academic Stream is composed of four grades; these being Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer and Lecturer. Entry into the grade of Lecturer or above shall only be open to persons in possession of a Ph.D. or a D.Phil. within strict guidelines established by the University of Malta.
The annual salary for 2026 attached to the respective grades in the Resident Academic Stream is as follows:
*Professor; €49,338 plus an Academic Supplement of €33,119 and a Professorial Allowance of €2,330
*Associate Professor; €45,384 plus Academic Supplement of €25,377 and a Professorial Allowance of €1,423
Senior Lecturer; €41,197 plus an Academic Supplement of €18,145
Lecturer; €34,528 with an annual increment of €641 to €36,451 and an Academic Supplement of €14,932
*The University will only consider appointing an applicant at the grade of Professor or Associate Professor, when the applicant already holds an equivalent appointment at a University or Research Institute of repute.
Appointments to Assistant Lecturer Grade
The University may also appoint promising candidates as Assistant Lecturers who do not yet possess a Ph.D. provided that applicants
after which, they will become eligible for appointment to the grade of Lecturer.
Successful completion of a period of service of four (4) years and of the Tenure Track and Review process, the position will be converted into one of indefinite term.
In the event that an Assistant Lecturer employed pursuant to this Call does not complete their Ph.D./D.Phil studies within the initial four (4)-year period of employment, the University of Malta may, at its discretion, and depending on the progress made in the relative Ph.D./D.Phil studies, offer a one (1)-time extension of the Assistant Lecturer’s employment period of a further definite term of up to two (2) years, within which the Assistant Lecturer shall be required to complete their Ph.D./D.Phil. studies and successfully complete their Tenure Track and Tenure Review process. For the avoidance of doubt, the definite term extension in such cases is based on the objective justification that the Ph.D./D.Phil. qualification is essential to obtain tenure as Lecturer, as set out in the applicable Collective Agreement.
The annual salary for 2026 attached to the grade of Assistant Lecturer is as follows:
Assistant Lecturer with Masters; €32,284 with an annual increment of €596 to €34,072 and an Academic Supplement of €5,294
Assistant Lecturer; €30,109 with an annual increment of €531 to €31,702 and an Academic Supplement of €5,037.
Application Procedures
Candidates are required to upload their curriculum vitae, certificates (certificates should be submitted preferably in English) and names and emails of three referees through this form: https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-general
Applications should be received by Sunday, 17 May 2026.
The above-mentioned criteria are subject to the satisfaction and scrutiny of the Selection Board.
Late applications will not be considered.
Further Information
General Working Obligations:
The conditions of work for a Resident Academic of the University of Malta, are set out in the ‘Collective Agreement for Academic Staff of the University of Malta’
Full-time Resident Academic staff are required to give a commitment based on a 40- hour per week with flexible times throughout the year, that is not only during semester time, depending on agreed timetables and distributed reasonably between teaching, academic research and academic administration.
Full-time Resident Academic staff are normally expected to be available for four and a half days per week to deliver their academic duties, meet with students and to participate actively in the academic life of the Department, Institute, Centre or School.
The official lecturing times of the University will be between 08:00 and 20:00 hours. The University may specify that the lecturing load will be conducted predominantly in any specific periods of the day between 08:00 and 20:00 hours.
In accordance with their conditions of employment and in order to meet the requirements of their role, Resident Academic staff are required to work on campus throughout the academic year, except for periods of authorised absence. Consequently, Resident Academic staff are required to reside no more than forty (40) kms from Campus.
The appointment will be subject to a probationary period of one year 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.
Department of Disability Studies, Faculty for Social Wellbeing
The Department of Disability Studies was first set up as the Disability Studies Unit at the University of Malta in July 2012. The National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD) together with the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at UM worked closely to set up the Unit, which then developed into the Department as we know it today.
Study-units relating to disability issues, delivered by KNPD since 1993, have now been incorporated within the Department of Disability Studies course programme. We offer study-units at undergraduate level to various faculties at UM in a bid to expose students and future professionals to the challenges faced by disabled people in all walks of life. We do this from both a theoretical and experiential perspective by involving disabled people to deliver the lectures.
The Certificate Course in Community Access for Disabled People, launched in October 2016, may be extended by another year of two semesters on a part-time basis leading to the Diploma in Community Access for Disabled People. This course can be extended to a further year of two semesters leading to the Higher Diploma in Community Access for Disabled People. The course is intended for those students who need a sound and extensive understanding of disability issues and caters for students who may need support to update or enhance their study skills.
The department also offers a BA in Disability Studies joint with another area, including Psychology, European Studies, Gender & Sexualities, Child & Family Studies, Gerontology & Dementia Studies.
The M.A. in Disability Studies course was designed by a group of disabled and non-disabled academics from different disciplines. We also offer a preparatory programme to enable health and social care professionals with a Diploma to obtain the necessary qualifications to enrol for this postgraduate degree course.
We collaborate with various UM entities to explore possible interdisciplinary disability-related research projects both locally and internationally. The department forms part of the European Disability Experts (EDE, previously ANED) of the European Commission DG Justice.
The duties which the appointee may be expected to perform are:
The Selection Procedures:
The Selection Process:
The selection process will follow the document “Guidelines for Members of Selection Boards in the Recruitment of Resident Academic Staff: (https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/policiesprocedures).
In accordance with the guidelines, members of the Selection Board will establish the following selection criteria for the selection process:
The University of Malta is an Equal Opportunity employer.
Office of the University
Msida, 27 April 2026
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