Issue Date: 17 July 2026
L’institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (Ifremer) in accordance with its contract for exploration for polymetallic sulphides signed with the International Seabed Authority on 18 November 2014 is offering two (2) practical on-board training opportunities for candidates from developing States within its 2027 training programme.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
In 2027, Ifremer will be conducting two hydrographic survey cruises in the Pacific Ocean in the context of investigations for potential extension of the outer limit of the continental shelf (Extraplac programme). One cruise will take place around Wallis and Futuna (most likely departing from and returning to Samoa) and the other around French Polynesia (departing from and returning to Papeete). The cruises will mostly involve Multibeam Echo Sounder survey as well as rock dredge. Tentatively, the first cruise would be between August and September 2027 for approximately 15 days while the second would be in October 2027 for approximately 25 days. The two selected candidates will either join one cruise together or be placed one each on the respective cruises. (The exact dates and other relevant information will be confirmed and communicated to the candidates closer to the date of departure and with sufficient time to allow for proper preparation).
The objective of the training is for the candidates to witness hydrographic surveys in the context of investigations for potential extension of the outer limit of the continental shelf as well as the associated geological interpretation of the data.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Educational Background: candidates should hold a bachelor/master’s degree of science in the relevant field of hydrography, marine survey, geophysics, geomatics or have an equivalent educational background.
- Professional Experience: Candidates should have at least one year of work experience in the relevant field.
- Language Proficiency: candidates must be proficient in either English or French (both written and spoken).
- Travel Requirements: Candidates should hold a passport with sufficient validity after the planned end of the exploration cruise and should be able to obtain the requisite French Visa (if boarding the French Polynesia cruise) or a Samoan visa (if boarding the cruise around Wallis and Futuna).
- Health requirements: If selected, the candidates will be required to submit a medical certificate confirming their ability to work at sea and to board the exploration cruise signed by a licensed physician (using a template that will be provided by Ifremer).
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Ifremer undertakes to cover the following costs in direct relation to the training:
- International airfare (economy class, return ticket);
- Accommodation, local transportation in the country of mob/demobilization, if required and meals for the duration of the training.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The selected candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with Ifremer as well as the ISA Contractors’ Training Programme Code of Conduct for Trainees prior to the start of the programme.
No later than four (4) weeks after the training has ended, the trainee shall submit an end-of-training report to Ifremer and the Authority outlining, amongst other things, the training completed, the benefits derived from the training opportunity, the knowledge gained and how the training will advance career and/or educational pursuits.
Upon successful completion of the programme, the trainee shall receive a certificate from the Authority. The trainee shall also be required to submit a supplementary report to the Authority five (5) years after the training has been completed, to allow for an assessment of the long-term benefits of the programme.
HOW TO APPLY
All interested applicants are invited to register and submit their applications on ISA CTP Application Portal, along with their supporting documents, including:
- A coloured passport sized photo;
- A copy of current passport biopage;
- Duly completed and signed nomination form [docx | pdf] by the nominating entity;
- Copy of degree(s) and/or relevant certificate(s);
- Copy of CV or Resume; and
- Proof of language proficiency, as required.
Applicants must select the following options when applying for this training opportunity on the Application Portal:
Contractor Name: Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer
(IFREMER)/PMS
Year: 2027
Programme Name: Practical On-board Training
Specialization: N/A
Application Deadline: 7 October 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 at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference aims at “Advancing women’s empowerment in marine scientific research”– 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.