The International Seabed Authority is calling for applications for the training programme to be provided by China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) in 2015 pursuant to the contract for exploration for polymetallic sulphides between the International Seabed Authority and COMRA.
COMRA is scheduling to provide on-land training opportunities in 2015 for four trainees from developing States. Two trainees will receive training in a five-month fellowship programme between March and July 2015, and another two trainees for a six-week engineering training programme between March and April 2015.
Both the fellowship and engineering training programmes are composed of theoretical training in classroom and practical training in laboratory. Theoretical training in classroom will include courses involving marine geology, mineralization, marine ecology, marine environment as well as marine instrumentation. Practical training in laboratory will consist of marine geology (analysis of rock samples and sedimentary samples), marine geophysics (analysis and process of geophysical data), and marine biology (process of biological samples) as well as marine geochemistry (analysis and process of geochemical samples).
COMRA will pay for a round-trip airline tickets (economy class) for the trainees. Local ground transportation, accommodations, travel insurance and allowance will be also provided by COMRA.
Applicants should be from developing States and meet the following criteria for consideration and selection by the Legal and Technical Commission during its session in February 2015 or at any earlier date as appropriate:
- Less than 45 years of age;
- Good written and spoken English;
- Possess certain scientific research ability or marine management ability;
- Candidates for the fellowship programme should hold Bachelor’s degrees in geology/geophysics/biology/environment, or equivalent education acceptable to the respective university;
- Candidates for the engineering training programme should hold either Bachelor’s degree/Master’s degree in marine engineering, mining engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering. They should engage in marine research, development or management in the future.
Applications must be accompanied by:
- an Application Form completed by the candidate;
- a Nomination form by the nominating government or by the applicant’s supervisor.
The application and nomination forms as well as other further details about the COMRA training can be found on the ISA website
Applications should be submitted in one of the official languages of the Authority in electronic format to: training@isa.org.jm and should be received by 20 January 2015.
Applications received after that date will not be considered for this training programme, but would be taken into consideration for other future training opportunities of this kind.