Issue date: 1 May 2026
JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya pursuant to its contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules, signed with the International Seabed Authority on 29 March 2001, is offering four(4) theoretical training opportunities for candidates from developing States within its 2026 training programme.
OUTLINE
The theoretical training will be held in St. Petersburg at the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Academician I.S Gramberg All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ocean” (FSBI “VNIIOkeangeologia”). It will be for approximately two (2) weeks during the third quarter of 2026 (August to September) under the Programme “Exploration and Development of Mineral Resources of the World Ocean” at St. Petersburg State University. The following courses will be covered, providing a basic introduction on each topic:
| No. | Disciplines |
| 1 | Fundamentals of Marine Geology and Geophysics |
| 1.1 | Topography, geological structure and tectonics of the seabed |
| 1.2 | Marine geophysics |
| 1.3 | Methods of marine geological and geophysical study |
| 2 | Fundamentals of Oceanology and Marine Environment |
| 2.1 | Physical oceanography: physical and dynamic processes in the ocean |
| 2.2 | Biological processes in the ocean and their relationship with abiotic factors |
| 2.1.2 | Marine biocenoses, their interaction with each other and with the environment |
| 3 | Deep-sea Minerals (DSM) |
| 3.1 | Ferromanganese nodules, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts and polymetallic sulphides |
| 3.1.1 | History of discovery and study |
| 3.1.2 | Distribution and geological setting |
| 3.1.3 | Morphology and composition |
| 3.1.4 | Exploration methods |
| 3.1.5 | Mineralogy and geochemical studies |
| 3.1.6 | Baseline environmental studies and environmental protection during exploration and exploitation activities |
| 3.1.7 | Legal aspects of DSM Development |
| 3.1.8 | Technical equipment and prospects for mining |
| 3.1.9 | Resources estimation |
| 3.1.10 | Metallurgical processing of mineral raw materials |
| 3.1.11 | Economic issues of DSM development |
| 4 | Other marine minerals of the World Ocean: placers, phosphorites, gas hydrates |
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for this programme, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Education: at least a bachelor’s degree and/or experience in geological and geophysical work, offshore preferably.
- Language: Must be fluent in English (both written and spoken). Basic Russian is recommended.
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
In addition to costs directly associated for the training, JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya undertakes to cover the following:
- Visa entry into the Russian Federation.
- Round trip transportation of trainees from their places of residence to the place of study.
- Accommodation and meals during the training.
- Insurance coverage for the duration of the training.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Trainees will be required to sign ISA’s 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, each trainee shall submit an end-of-training report to JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya 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, trainees shall receive a certificate from the Authority.
Trainees 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 the ISA CTP Application Portal, along with their supporting documents, including:
- A recent coloured passport sized photo
- A copy of valid passport biographical page.
- Duly completed and signed nomination form [doc/pdf] by the nominating entity.
- Copy of degree(s) and/or certificate(s)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- 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 Name: JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya/PMN
Year: 2026
Programme Name: Theoretical Training only
Application Deadline: 20 May 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), JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya has pledged to allocate 50% of its training opportunities to qualified women applicants.