Applications are now open for five (5) training opportunities for candidates from developing States, Members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The placements are provided by Global Sea Mineral Resources NV (GSR) in accordance with its obligations under its contracts for exploration for polymetallic nodules (PMN) with ISA.
The five training programmes are divided as follows:
- One fellowship (2 years – Master’s degree “Ocean & Lakes”)
- Two professional training placements (1 month – 2023 Antwerp Port Training Center)
- Two offshore professional training placements (1 month – GSR offshore campaign)
1. Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Ocean & Lakes), Scholarship years 2023-2024.
GSR is offering one (1) two-year fellowship opportunity for candidates from a developing State, commencing in September 2023.
The “Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management” programme will be jointly organized by the Faculty of Science of the Free University of Brussels, Antwerp University and Ghent University with GSR providing travel, accommodation and tuition costs.
The Programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach integrating physical, chemical, geological, ecological and societal aspects and including nature conservation and sustainable development.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in one of the following: biology, biochemistry/ biotechnology, chemistry, geology, geography/geomatics, bio‐engineer science or environmental sciences. For other bachelor’s degrees in science, applied science and life sciences, equivalency will be evaluated based on scientific competences and skills of the students. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with good overall scores (at least upper second class or equivalent) from a university or recognized equivalent. Applicants need to provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English.
2. Two Professional Training – 2023 Seminar on Dredging Technologies organized by the Antwerp Port Training Center (5 – 16 June 2023)
GSR is offering a two‐week seminar opportunity for two candidates to attend the 2023 Seminar on Dredging Technologies organized by the Antwerp Port Training Center.
The course is organized by the Antwerp Port Training Center (Dredging Technologies – APEC) in Antwerp, Belgium, and covers all essential theoretical and practical aspects with regard to dredging such as: navigating in muddy areas, strategies for the dumping of dredged sediments, the various types of dredgers, dredger simulators, maintenance dredging, large scale projects, spoil recycling, maintenance of dredgers, construction of dredgers, technical aspects and new developments, technical renovation including dredging technologies for international maritime experts.
The APEC course will give the nominee a serious introduction to the latest high‐tech state‐of-the‐art dredging technologies and equipment. The dredging technologies and corresponding environmental management techniques from the dredging industry will be indispensable knowledge leading towards sustainable deep sea mining practices.
Applicants must hold a technical degree, preferably linked to offshore activities (Marine Engineering), from a university or recognized equivalent, and will need to provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English.
More information is available on https://apecporttraining.com/course/dredging-technologies/
3. Two Offshore Professional Training Placements (2023 GSR Offshore Expedition (Q2 – Q3 2023))
GSR is offering two professional training opportunities at sea, in the fields of Biology. The cruise will be organized by GSR sometime between Q2 and Q3 of 2023, for approximately 35 to 40 days. (The exact dates will be communicated to selected candidates with enough lead time for appropriate preparations).
The expedition will focus, inter alia, on environmental baseline study, sediment and water sampling as well as deep-sea imagery.
Applicants must hold a bachelor or master’s degree in the field of Biology or Oceanography; or have equivalent educational background. They will also need to provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English.
Please visit this link for more information and to apply. Applications by qualified candidates should be received no later than 31 January 2023.
One of the Voluntary Commitments made by the ISA at the UN Ocean Conference 2017 was “Enhancing the role of Women in Deep-Sea Research through capacity building” – we therefore strongly encourage suitably qualified females to apply for these training opportunities.
***
All contractors with ISA have a legal obligation to provide and fund training opportunities for personnel from developing States and those of ISA.
The legal basis for the requirement stems from the provisions of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement and is set out in the standard terms of contracts. Its purpose is to ensure that personnel from developing States are provided with appropriate operational expertise to enable them to participate in deep-seabed mining.
Please visit this page to know more about the Contractor Training Programme.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Annekah Mason, Training Coordinator, ISA, training@isa.org.jm