China Ocean Mineral Resources R & D Association (COMRA)-PMS

RE-ADVERTISED 9 JULY 2021

Extended deadline for applications: 8 October 2021

China Ocean Mineral Resources R & D Association (COMRA), pursuant to its contract for exploration for polymetallic sulphides signed with ISA on 18 November 2011, is offering four (4) online training opportunities for candidates from developing States between December and March 2022. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related constraints, the in-person fellowship training programme postponed in 2020 has now been converted to an online training course aimed at: improving the capacity of the trainees in marine science and technology; familiarizing them with basic knowledge of deep-sea resource exploration and development, international deep-sea laws and policies, deep-sea environment and ecosystem, deep-sea technology and equipment and operational norms; improving their skills in deep-sea resources survey and deep-sea equipment application; and laying a foundation for further scientific research, technological development and application related to the exploration and development of deep-sea polymetallic sulphides.

The training will be organized and implemented by the National Deep Sea Center (NDSC) under the requirements and guidance of COMRA. 19 compulsory courses on polymetallic sulphides and 6 optional courses on polymetallic nodules will be provided through 48 prerecorded video sessions (45 minutes per session). These videos will be made available to trainee in installments each month via a secure website. Trainees are expected to work at their own pace to complete 12-20 sessions each month (3-5 sessions per week). Playback of the videos will be permitted until the end of March 2022.

To complement the video sessions, throughout the training trainers will interact directly and weekly with the trainees. The discussions will be recorded and the recordings made available to trainees.

The course release for the 7 modules under the training is scheduled as follows:

At the end of the course, the trainee will be assigned 1 or 2 research topics from the course modules to prepare a graded research report of no less than 6,000 words.

Trainees will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with COMRA as well as submit a report on the outcome and overall experience of their training to COMRA and ISA. 

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Education: Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in geology, geophysics, biology, environmental studies, mining engineering, mechanical engineering or metallurgical engineering;
2. Language: advanced proficiency in English (speaking and writing);
3. Under 45 years of age;
4. Health: good physical and mental health;
5. Possess competency in scientific research or marine management.

Applications should be submitted by the 8 October 2021 deadline through:

• the online training portal. Users applying through the online portal (see below), must remember to upload a copy of a passport photo, the signed nomination form, degree/certificate, résumé/CV and other supporting document; OR
• via email, in one of the official languages of the ISA, to training@isa.org.jm using the forms below.

Applications must be accompanied by:

1. Application form ( docx | pdf ) to be completed by the applicant;
2. Nomination form ( docx | pdf ) to be completed by the institution or governmental department; 
3. Copy of degree certificate;
4. Proof of sufficient knowledge of English; and
5. Copy of CV or Résumé. 
6. Proof of competency in scientific research or marine management

One of the Voluntary Commitments that the ISA made at the UN Ocean Conference 2017 was ‘Enhancing the role of Women in Marine Scientific Research through Capacity Building’ – we therefore strongly encourage suitably qualified females to apply for these training opportunities.

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