French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer)
UPDATE (9 May 2023) The following candidates have been selected:
| Rank | First name | Surname | Sex | Country | Country Class. |
| ONE (1) AT-SEA PLACEMENT | |||||
| 1 | K.M. Imam | Hossain | M | Bangladesh | LDC |
| R1 | Michael M. | Kangútu | M | Kenya | |
| R2 | Turia | Bokai | F | Kiribati | LDC/
SIDS |
| ONE (1) ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT | |||||
| 1 | Khadidja W. | Abdallah | F | Algeria | |
| R1 | Omar | Ali | M | Somalia | LDC |
| R2 | Jennifer A. | Adesina | F | Nigeria | |
Issued 21 December 2022
Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea), in accordance with its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules signed with ISA in 2001, is offering two (2) training opportunities for candidates from developing States within its 2023 training programme.
The two training programmes are divided as follows:
- One (1) internship (Environmental Studies)
- One (1) at-sea onboard training placement (Geosciences)
- 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 mid-September to mid-November 2023).
The internship will focus on taxonomic identification of meiofauna via innovative imaging tools to improve techniques for investigating deep-sea marine biodiversity. The candidate will be trained in meiofauna taxonomy as well as in binocular imaging and high-resolution digital acquisition techniques. He/she will also receive training in artificial intelligence and contribute in developing innovative tools to improve taxonomic knowledge for marine biodiversity.
The activities of the internship will include:
- Tests on samples (replicas) of identification of living benthic meiofauna via artificial intelligence and image scanning.
- Comparison with (real) faunal data previously identified on samples from Clarion Clipperton Zone and/or Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
- Validation of the identification technique using artificial intelligence and evaluation of its efficiency compared to the conventional method (taxonomic sorting).
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: 24 March 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
- One (1) at-sea onboard training placement (Geosciences)
The at-sea training will take place on-board one of Ifremer’s research vessel for a duration of approximately 45 days (including mobilization and demobilization) between October 2023 and March 2024. The exact dates to be confirmed depending on ship’s scheduling.
The objective of the training is to provide a practical experience about polymetallic nodules exploration cruises and activities with focus on the sampling for resource evaluation and process of box core samples, AUV mapping and acoustic data interpretation, as well as oceanographic mooring deployment.
Qualification Requirements:
- Education: as a minimum requirement, candidates should hold a bachelor/master’s degree of science in the relevant field of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, mineralogy or have an equivalent educational background.
- Experience: At least one year of work experience in the relevant field.
- Language: Proficiency in either French or English (both written and spoken).
- Immigration: A passport with sufficient validity after the planned end of the exploration cruise and should be able to obtain a US Visa as the mobilization and demobilization is currently planned in the US.
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 the country of mob/demob, 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.
The selected trainee will be required to submit a medical certificate confirming the applicant’s 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).
Application Deadline: 31 March 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