Applications are now open for two (2) at-sea on-board training opportunities for candidates from developing States, Members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The placements are being provided by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF-ROK) in accordance with its obligations under its contracts for exploration for polymetallic sulphides (PMS) with ISA.
The cruise, which will be organized by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), will take place onboard R/V Isabu within the MOF-ROK contract area in the Indian Ocean. The training will focus on geological and environmental surveying and is scheduled for approximately 30 days in April or May 2024. The specific dates will be communicated and are subject to change. Nonetheless, candidates will be provided with as much prior notice as possible.
Specifically, the training opportunities will focus on:
- geological surveying techniques (bathymetric and magnetic mapping)
- geological and environmental sampling (i.e., sulphides, rocks, sediments, seawater, and benthos) near SMS deposits.
As a minimum requirement, candidates should hold a bachelor’s/master’s degree in geology/marine science, or an equivalent educational background. All candidates should have sufficient knowledge of English for daily conversation and training.
Please visit this link for more information and to apply. Applications by qualified candidates should be received no later than 26 December 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 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.
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All contractors with ISA have a legal obligation to provide and fund training opportunities for personnel from developing States and those of ISA.
The legal basis for the requirement stems from the provisions of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement and is set out in the standard terms of contracts. Its purpose is to ensure that personnel from developing States are provided with appropriate operational expertise to enable them to participate in deep-seabed mining.
Please visit this page to know more about the Contractor Training Programme.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Annekah Mason, Training Coordinator, ISA, training@isa.org.jm