Issue date: 28 May 2025
Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) in accordance with its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules signed with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on 20 June 2016 is offering one (1) Environmental Studies internship opportunity for candidates from developing States within its 2026 training programme.
Training Programme Overview:
The internship will focus on taxonomic identification of meiofauna via innovative imaging tools to improve techniques for investigating deep-sea marine biodiversity. The candidate will be trained in meiofauna taxonomy as well as in binocular imaging and high-resolution digital acquisition techniques. The intern will also receive training in artificial intelligence and contribute in developing innovative tools to improve taxonomic knowledge for marine biodiversity.
The internships will take place within the deep-sea ecosystems studies laboratory of Ifremer, in Brest, for a duration of two months (approximately from early May to end of June 2026, dates to be confirmed closer to the start of the training).
Eligibility:
Candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Educational Background: candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree-level education (preferably in natural sciences) and should be enrolled in a first master’s level course (or equivalent) in biology, preferably in marine biology, biodiversity and ecology or molecular biosciences.
- Language Proficiency: candidates must be proficient in either English or French (both written and spoken).
- Travel Requirements: candidates should hold a passport with sufficient validity after the planned departure from France to comply with French Visa requirements.
Financial Support:
Ifremer undertakes to cover the following costs in direct relation to the training:
- International airfare (economy class, return ticket) and local transports in France, if required.
- Accommodation and meals for the duration of the training.
Other Requirements
The selected candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with Ifremer and the ISA Contractors’ Training Programme Code of Conduct for Trainees prior to the start of the programme.
No later than four (4) weeks after the training has ended, the trainee shall submit an end-of-training report to Ifremer and the ISA outlining, amongst other things, the training completed, the benefits derived from the training opportunity, the knowledge gained and how the training will advance career and/or educational pursuits.
Upon successful completion of the programme, the trainee shall receive a certificate from the ISA. The trainee shall also be required to submit a supplementary report to the ISA five (5) years after the training has been completed, to allow for an assessment of the long-term benefits of the programme.
How to Apply:
All interested applicants are invited to register and submit their applications on ISA CTP Application Portal, along with their supporting documents, including:
- A coloured passport sized photo;
- A copy of current passport biopage;
- Duly completed and signed nomination form [docx | pdf] by the nominating entity;
- Copy of degree(s) and/or relevant certificate(s);
- Copy of CV or Resume; and
- Proof of language proficiency, as required.
Applicants must select the following options when applying for this training opportunity on the Application Portal:
Contractor Name: French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) PMN
Year: 2026
Programme Name: Internship
Specialization: N/A
Application Deadline: 25 July 2025. 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.