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 2026 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 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 (30 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. Specific details for the cruise are still to be determined and will be communicated in advance to the selected candidates).
The major objectives of this cruise are:
- Recovery, maintenance and re-deployment of four sediment trap moorings in different parts of the contract area including first onboard processing of samples and data.
- High-resolution bathymetric mapping of the seafloor and the near-bottom water column in search for new hydrothermal systems using the BGR-own deep-towed bathymetric sled / sensor platform HOMESIDE.
- Detailed geological and biological mapping of known and new hydrothermal systems (both active and inactive) using the BGR-own remotely operated TV sled STROMER.
- Sampling of mineralized and background sediments using a gravity corer and of massive sulphides using a TV-guided grab.
- Systematic water sampling in vertical profiles using a CTD/rosette system for our environmental baseline studies.
- First onboard analyses of rock and sediment samples using mobile XRF and SEM tools, first microscopic investigations of the plankton samples, and systematic organization of all cruise data in an GIS project.
During the cruise, the selected candidates will be integrated into the station work and into different first sample and data processing. The training will be organized such that each trainee will go through different stations during the cruise in order to get experience on all facets of an exploration cruise.
The training will also include:
- Instructions in vessel navigation techniques and planning of an exploration survey.
- Preparation, on-board handling, and deployment of specialized geological and biological instruments.
- Operation of these instruments at depth.
- Data handling and storage, data quality control.
- Processing of data and samples on board;
- General aspects of work and environmental safety at sea.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Education: A bachelor or master’s degree in marine geology or marine biology; or an education and/or experience in terrestrial volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits.
- Experience: 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: 2026
Programme Name: At-sea Training
Specialization: N/A
Application Deadline: 30 June 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.