Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea), in accordance with its exploration contract for polymetallic sulphides signed with ISA in 2014, is offering three (3) training opportunities for candidates from developing States within its 2023 training programme.
The three programmes are divided as follows:
- One (1) internship (Environmental Studies)
- Two (2) internships (Meioscool Workshop 2023 – meiofauna taxonomy)
1. One (1) internship (Environmental Studies)
The internship will take place within the deep-sea ecosystems’ studies laboratory of Ifremer, in Brest, for a duration of two months (approximately from May to June 2023).
The internship will focus on the characterization and distribution mapping of the macrofauna of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at inactive vent sites and their periphery, based on the analysis of video footage acquired during the HERMINE 2 exploration cruise in 2022. At the start of the internship, the candidate will receive a short training in macrofauna taxonomy and image analysis.
The activities of the internship will include:
- Review and analysis of the Hermine 2 videos acquired around inactive sites.
- Labelling of the macrofauna captured in the videos;
- Mapping the distribution of the different species based on the video analysis and annotation; and
- Analysis of distribution trends and correlations with substratum type, and distance from active and inactive vents.
Qualification requirements:
- Education: As a minimum requirement, candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree-level education (preferably in natural sciences) and should be enrolled in a first master’s level course (or equivalent) in biology, preferably in marine biology, biodiversity and ecology or molecular biosciences.
- Language: Proficiency in either English or French (both written and spoken).
- Immigration: A passport with sufficient validity after the planned departure from France to comply with French Visa requirements.
Cost bearing:
Ifremer will cover all relevant cost for the training which includes the following: International airfares (economy class, return ticket); Accommodation and meals for the duration of the training as well as local transports in France, if required.
Trainees will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with Ifremer. At the end of the training, trainees will be required to submit a report to Ifremer and ISA outlining the training completed; the benefits of the training opportunity; the knowledge gained; and how the training will advance their career and/or education. Trainees will also receive certificates.
How to Apply:
All interested applicants are invited to register through the ISA online portal through which they will submit their applications together with the necessary requested documents including:
- A copy of current passport photo and valid passport biopage
- Signed nomination form [docx | pdf] by the nominating entity
- Copy of degree/certificate
- Copy of CV or Resume
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of English or French
Application Deadline: 31 January 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
2. Two (2) internships (Meioscool Workshop 2023 – meiofauna taxonomy)
These internship placements are for participation in Meioscool 2023 which will take place in “Palma de Majorque” (Spain) from 26 -30 June 2023, for a duration of 5 days.
The objective of this workshop is to gain the basic theoretical and practical skills required to process samples and identify taxa of the benthic meiofauna. The aim of MeioScool is to bring together meiofauna experts, researchers and students from around the globe, to:
- Train the next generation of meiobenthologists by providing training on the identification and description of different meiofaunal groups; and
- Exchange knowledge on the biology, evolution, and ecology of meiofauna.
The session in 2023 will also focus on image acquisition and automatized identification with theoretical and practical activities. Among the preliminary program, the different experts will supervise on-board and field sampling, taxonomical analyses, images acquisition on several groups of organisms (nematodes, copepods, foraminifera, kinorhyincha, polychaetes, Loricifera). Finally, there will be a specific activity on outreach and science communication.
Qualification Requirements:
- Education: as a minimum requirement, candidates should hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Environment, 3-year technical degree in marine environment or equivalent
- Experience: A first experience in taxonomy is desirable.
- Language: Proficiency in English (both written and spoken).
- Immigration: A passport with sufficient validity after the planned departure from Spain to comply with Spanish visa requirements.
Cost Bearing:
Ifremer will cover all relevant cost for the training which includes the following: International airfares (economy class, return ticket); Workshop registration cost; Accommodation and meals for the duration of the training as well as local transportation in Spain, if required.
Trainees will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with Ifremer. At the end of the training, trainees will be required to submit a report to Ifremer and ISA outlining the training completed; the benefits of the training opportunity; the knowledge gained; and how the training will advance their career and/or education. Trainees will also receive certificates.
How to Apply:
All interested applicants are invited to register through the ISA online portal through which they will submit their applications together with the necessary requested documents including:
- A copy of current passport photo and valid passport biopage
- Signed nomination form [docx | pdf] by the nominating entity
- Copy of degree/certificate
- Copy of CV or Resume
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of English, as required.
Application Deadline: 20 February 2023. 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), IFREMER has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.
All queries concerning these two training programmes should be directed to training@isa.org.jm