Issue date: 19 September 2023
UPDATE (29 November 2023) The following candidates have been selected:
| Rank | First Name | Last Name | Sex | Country | Country Class. |
| First-ranked Candidate | |||||
| 1 | Ann | Wanjau | Female | Kenya | |
| Reserves or Alternate Candidates | |||||
| R1 | Samantha | Garcia | Female | Mexico | |
| R2 | Miranda | Ikfi | Female | Cameroon | |
Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea), in accordance with its exploration contract for polymetallic sulphides signed with ISA in 2014, is offering one (1) geological studies internship opportunity for candidates from developing States within its 2024 training programme.
Programme Outline:
The internship will take place within the Ifremer facilities of the Geo-Ocean laboratory (Ifremer/CNRS/Univ. Brest), in Brest, for a duration of two to three months (approximately from February to the end of April 2024 – exact duration and dates to be confirmed closer to the start of the internship).
The objective of the internship will be to acquire practical knowledge in:
- geological sample preparation for mineralogical/geochemical analyses (crushing, milling, preparation of pressed powder pellets and/or glass beads);
- mineralogical identification (X-ray diffraction, XRD); and
- determination of major element compositions (X-ray fluorescence, XRF).
The specific objectives and activities of the internship will be the study of gabbros collected along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). It concerns approximately 150 samples. Gabbroic rocks, constituting the lower oceanic crust, were exhumed and exposed on the seafloor along detachment and transform faults. Variable metamorphic and alteration degrees are identified in hand specimens, as well as different deformation stages. The detail of mineralogical changes though metamorphism then alteration following fluid-rock interaction, possibly related to deformation along fault planes, will be investigated on the basis of XRD analyses. The chemical evolution, including possible release or concentration of metals, during such processes will be studied with the XRF analyses. The inheritance of the protolith (e.g. rock type, mineralogy, mineral grain size and chemistry, deformation) could have a great impact on specific metal enrichments in polymetallic sulfides formed at hydrothermal fluids located on such rock substrates. Accordingly, the data obtained in the frame of this internship will contribute to the ongoing studies conducted by Ifremer on the geological environments surrounding active and low temperature hydrothermal districts identified along the MAR.
Qualification requirements:
- Education: As a minimum requirement, candidates should hold a bachelor/master degree of science in the relevant field of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, oceanography or have an equivalent educational background.
- Work Experience: At least one year of work experience in the relevant field.
- Language: Proficiency in either English or French (both written and spoken).
- Immigration: Candidates must hold a passport with sufficient validity after the planned departure from France to comply with French Visa requirements.
Cost bearing:
Ifremer will cover all relevant cost for the training which includes the following:
- International airfares (economy class, return ticket);
- Accommodation and meals for the duration of the training as well as local transports in France, if required.
Other requirements:
The selected candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with Ifremer. At the end of the training, the trainee will be required to submit a report to Ifremer and ISA outlining the training completed; the benefits of the training opportunity; the knowledge gained; and how the training will advance their career and/or educational pursuits. Trainees will also receive certificates.
How to Apply:
All interested applicants are invited to register through the ISA online portal through which they will submit their applications together with the necessary requested documents including:
- A copy of current passport photo and valid passport biopage
- Signed nomination form [docx | pdf] by the nominating entity
- Copy of degree/certificate
- Copy of CV or Resume
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of English or French
Application Deadline: 31 October 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
One of the Voluntary Commitments registered by ISA at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference (#OceanAction 40768) and reiterated at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference aims at “Advancing women’s empowerment in marine scientific research”– As partner of the Women in Deep-Sea Research project (WIDSR), IFREMER has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.
All queries concerning this training programme should be directed to training@isa.org.jm