Issue date: 2 December 2023

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), Republic of Korea (ROK) in accordance with its contract for exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts signed with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on 27 March 2018 is offering two (2) at-sea training opportunities to candidates from developing states under its 2024 training programme.

OUTLINE

The cruise will be organized by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) within the MOF contract area in western Pacific Ocean onboard the R/V Isabu.

The at-sea onboard training will focus on geological and environmental surveying and sampling (i.e., rocks, sediments, seawater, and benthos).

DURATION

The cruise is scheduled for September or October 2024 for approximately 20 to 30 days (1 month). The specific training dates and port(s) of boarding and disembarking will be determined and later communicated by MOF-ROK, with due prior notice given to trainees.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Education: As a minimum:
    • one (1) candidate must hold a qualified bachelor’s degree (or higher) in the field of marine geology, or an equivalent educational background.
    • one (1) candidate must hold a qualified bachelor’s degree (or higher) in the field of marine science or marine biology, or an equivalent educational background.
  • Age: Must be under 45 years old
  • Language: Working proficiency in English
  • Health: In good mental and physical health, suitable for work at-sea onboard and in the lab.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

MOF-ROK will cover all relevant costs associated with the at-sea training, including i) transportation costs (round-trip economy class) accrued pursuant to trainees’ participation in the training, ii) accommodation and meals, iii) medical insurance, and iv) other incidental expenses that might arise during the training period.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Following selection, trainees will be required to submit a physical examination report, signed by a licensed physician, stating that the trainee is physically fit for the month-long onboard training.

Trainees will also be required to sign the ISA Contractors’ Training Programme General Guidance and Code of Conduct for Trainees prior to the start of the programme, as well as a confidentiality agreement with MOF-ROK.

At the end of the training, trainees must submit a report to MOF-ROK 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.

Upon successful completion of the training programme, trainees will receive certificates from ISA and MOF-ROK.

HOW TO APPLY:

All interested applicants are invited to register through the ISA online portal through which they will submit their applications along with the requested documents including:

  • A coloured passport sized photo
  • A copy of their passport biographical page or national identification card.
  • Signed nomination form [doc/pdf] by the nominating entity.
  • Copy of degree
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé
  • Proof of sufficient knowledge of English.

Application Deadline: 16 February 2024. 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), MOF-ROK has pledged to allocate 50% of its training opportunities to qualified women applicants.