Issue date: 22 April 2026
Deep Ocean Resources Development Co., Ltd. (DORD), in accordance with its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules signed with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on 20 June 2001, is offering two (2) on-land training opportunities to candidates from developing States within its 2026 training programme.
OVERVIEW OF TRAINING PROGRAMME
The training is scheduled to take place in Kochi, Toyama, Aomori and Tokyo (including the surrounding area), Japan for approximately 21 days in November 2026. The programme aims to help trainees establish a fundamental knowledge regarding geological and environmental surveys as well as mining system and processing technology of polymetallic nodules. This training includes participation in international conferences related to deep-sea mineral resources (Underwater Minerals Conference: UMC2026), and visits to a Japanese Ni smelter, an excavation machinery factory, practical training of sample treatment at the Marine Core Research Institute, Kochi University, which is currently planned and may be subject to change.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
Education: A bachelor, master or doctoral degree in science or engineering in the relevant field of marine geology, marine environment including biology or ecology, and mining and processing technology.
Professional Experience: At least one-year of practical experience in the candidate’s field of specialization.
Language: Sufficient knowledge of English for daily conversation and training.
Health: Good health, holding a health certificate issued by a medical institution.
Age: Under 45 years of age.
Disclaimer: Employees of ISA’s exploration contractors are not eligible to apply to the Contractors’ Training Programme.
COST-BEARING
DORD will cover round-trip airfare (economy class) to Japan and provide transportation, accommodation, daily allowance according to Japanese law for travel expenses, as well as travel and medical insurance within the scope of the training plan in Japan. Dates of the round-trip air tickets will not be changeable, and the effective period of the Japan visa will be fixed, based on the dates of the air tickets.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- The trainee will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with DORD as well as the ISA’s Code of Conduct for Trainees of the Contractors’ Training Programme 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 DORD and ISA outlining, inter alia, the training completed; the benefits of the training opportunity; the knowledge gained; and how the training will advance their career and/or education.
- Upon successful completion of the programme and submission of the relevant report, the trainee shall receive a certificate from ISA.
HOW TO APPLY
All interested applicants are invited to register through the Authority’s CTP Application Portal through which they will submit their applications along with their supporting documents including:
- A coloured passport sized photo;
- A copy of valid passport biopage (with sufficient validity (at least 6 months) beyond the duration of training);
- Duly completed and signed Nomination and Recommendation Form [docx | pdf] by the nominating entity;
- Copy of degree/certificate;
- Copy of Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé; and
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of English, as required.
Applicants must select the following options when applying for this training opportunity on the Application Portal:
Contractor’s Name: Deep Ocean Resources Development Co., Ltd. (DORD)/PMN
Year: 2026
Programme Name: On-land
Specialization: N/A
Application Deadline: 19 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), DORD has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.