Issue Date: 4 May 2026
The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of the Federal Republic of Germany (BGR), in accordance with its exploration contract for polymetallic sulphides signed with the International Seabed Authority on 6 May 2015, is offering two (2) at-sea training opportunities to candidates from developing States within its 2027 training programme.
TRAINING PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The selected candidates will join an exploration cruise onboard research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN to the BGR contract area in the Indian Ocean. The cruise will be from 5 January to 10 February 2027 (36 days at sea including transit from harbour to working area and back plus 4 days in harbour. Port of call will be in Port Louis, Mauritius and Durban, South Africa. Specific details for the cruise are still to be determined and will be communicated in advance to selected candidates).
The major objective of this cruise is the investigation of the sub-seafloor mineralization of selected hydrothermal systems in the German contract area in the Indian Ocean applying deep-towed geophysical instruments such as controlled-source electromagnetics (CSEM), magnetics, and self-potential. Additionally, biodiversity investigations based on video inspection and bathymetric mapping will be carried out.
On land, airborne and ground electromagnetic methods are established standard geophysical technique for locating and mapping massive sulphide deposits. Published marine electrical and electromagnetic field observations and petro-physical analysis of surface and drill core samples already proved the high significance and sensitivity of electrical property measurements for the exploration and assessment of polymetallic seafloor massive sulphides deposits. However, marine CSEM induction and magnetic methods demand sensitive instruments that can operate in conductive seawater and can be handled from a ship or underwater vehicle with high lateral and near-seafloor resolution. BGR has developed a novel electromagnetic deep-sea profiler (“Golden Eye”). This instrument as well as BGR’s deep towed bathymetry sled HOMESIDE, equipped with a vector-magnetometer and towing three axial self-potential sensors, will be deployed during the cruise.
During the cruise, trainees will be integrated into the station work for recording the geophysical data. The training will also include:
- Instructions in vessel navigation techniques and planning of an exploration survey.
- Preparation, on-board handling, and deployment of specialized geophysical surveying instruments.
- Operation of geophysical instruments at depth.
- Data handling and storage, data quality control.
- Recovery and deployment of sediment trap moorings.
- General aspects of work and environmental safety at sea.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Education: A bachelor’s /master’s degree in marine geophysics or equivalent education. Applicants must have a strong background in geophysics to fully benefit from the training programme.
- Experience: A solid and proven background in standard geophysical data processing techniques.
- Programming experience in higher programming languages is desirable.
- At least one-year practical experience in the candidate’s field of specialization.
- Language: A sound knowledge of English attested by a certificate, where applicable.
- Health: Good state of health, suitable to work at sea.
- Age: Under 45 years of age.
- Recommended: seagoing experience (seaworthiness).
Disclaimer: Employees of ISA’s exploration contractors are not eligible to apply to the Contractors’ Training Programme.
COST BEARING
In addition to the costs directly related to training, BGR undertakes to cover:
- Roundtrip international travel expenses (economy class), to and from the harbours of embarkation and disembarkation;
- Accommodation and daily allowance according to the governmental regulations of the Federal German law for travel expenses.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Prior to embarking on the training, the selected candidates shall be required to obtain medical certificates from a medical institution confirming that they are in good health and fit to work at-sea.
Trainees will be required to sign the ISA Code of Conduct for Trainees of the Contractors’ Training Programme prior to the start of the programme. Trainees may also be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with BGR.
No later than four (4) weeks after the training has ended, each trainee shall submit an end-of-training report to BGR and the Authority outlining, amongst other things, the training completed, the benefits of the training opportunity, the knowledge gained and how the training will advance their career/educational pursuits.
Upon successful completion of the programme, trainees shall receive a certificate from the Authority.
HOW TO APPLY
All interested applicants are invited to register and submit their applications on the ISA CTP Application Portal, along with their supporting documents, including:
- A coloured passport sized photo
- A copy of their passport biographical page or national identification card.
- Duly completed Nomination and Recommendation Form [doc/pdf]
- Copy of degree(s) and/or relevant certificate(s)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- Proof of language proficiency
Applicants must select the following options when applying for this training opportunity on the Application Portal:
Contractor Name: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of the Federal Republic of Germany (BGR)/PMS
Year: 2027
Programme Name: At-sea Training
Specialization: Geophysics
Application Deadline: 5 July 2026. 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), BGR has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.