Issue Date: 7 November 2025
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF-ROK), in accordance with the contract for the exploration for polymetallic sulphides signed with the International Seabed Authority on 24 June 2014, is offering three (3) at-sea on-board training placements to candidates from developing States under its 2026 training programme.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW:
The cruise will be organized by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) within the MOF-ROK contract area in the Indian Ocean using research vessel Isabu. The cruise is scheduled between April and May 2026 for approximately 28 days with a focus on geological and environmental surveying. The specific dates for the training will be communicated to the candidates after the selection. Training opportunities will focus on geological and environmental sampling (i.e., sulphides, rocks, sediments, seawater, and benthos) near SMS deposits.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of geology/marine science, or an equivalent educational background.
Language: Proficiency in English (written and spoken), attested by a certificate, where applicable.
Health: Good mental and physical health suitable to work on board and in the lab. Nb. If selected, the trainee will be required to submit a physical examination report, signed by licensed physician, stating that the trainee is physically fit for a month-long on-board training.
Age: must be under 45 years of age.
Disclaimer: Employees of ISA’s exploration contractors are not eligible to apply to the Contractors’ Training Programme.
COST BEARING
MOF-ROK will cover all the relevant costs directly related to the training including: i) transportation costs (round-trip economy class) accrued by trainees pursuant to their participation in the training programme; ii) accommodations and meals; iii) medical insurance; and iv) other incidental expenses that might arise during the training period.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Trainees shall sign a confidentiality agreement with MOF-ROK 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 MOF-ROK 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, the trainee shall receive a certificate from the Authority. Trainees shall also 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 recent coloured passport sized photo;
- A copy of valid 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 English competence, as required.
Applicants must select the following options when applying for this training opportunity on the Application Portal:
Contractor Name: Government of the Republic of Korea (MOF-ROK)- PMS
Year: 2026
Programme Name: At-sea on-board
Specialization: N/A
Application Deadline: 8 December 2025. 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), MOF-ROK has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.