Applications are now open for two (2) training opportunities for candidates from developing States, Members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The placements are provided by the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer) in accordance with its obligations under its contracts for exploration for polymetallic nodules (PMN) with ISA.
The two training programmes are divided as follows:
- One (1) internship (Environmental Studies)
- One (1) at-sea onboard training placement (Geosciences)
1. One (1) internship (Environmental Studies)
The internship will take place within the deep-sea ecosystems studies laboratory of Ifremer, in Brest, for a duration of two months (approximately from mid-September to mid-November 2023).
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. He/she will also receive training in artificial intelligence and contribute to developing innovative tools to improve taxonomic knowledge for marine biodiversity.
The activities of the internship will include:
- Tests on samples (replicas) of identification of living benthic meiofauna via artificial intelligence and image scanning.
- Comparison with (real) faunal data previously identified on samples from Clarion Clipperton Zone and/or Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
- Validation of the identification technique using artificial intelligence and evaluation of its efficiency compared to the conventional method (taxonomic sorting).
As a minimum requirement, 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. Candidates must be proficient in either English or French (both written and spoken).
Please visit this link for more information and to apply. Applications by qualified candidates should be received no later than 24 March 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
2. One (1) at-sea onboard training placement (Geosciences)
The at-sea training will take place on-board one of Ifremer’s research vessel for a duration of approximately 45 days (including mobilization and demobilization) between October 2023 and March 2024. The exact dates to be confirmed depending on ship’s scheduling.
The objective of the training is to provide a practical experience about polymetallic nodules exploration cruises and activities with focus on the sampling for resource evaluation and process of box core samples, AUV mapping and acoustic data interpretation, as well as oceanographic mooring deployment.
As a minimum requirement, candidates should hold a bachelor/master’s degree of science in the relevant field of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, mineralogy or have an equivalent educational background with at least one year of work experience in the relevant field. Candidates must be proficient in either English or French (both written and spoken).
Please visit this link for more information and to apply. Applications by qualified candidates should be received no later than 31 March 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 in 2022 was ‘Enhancing the role of Women in Marine Scientific Research through Capacity Building’ – 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.
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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