Issue date: 22 December 2023
UPDATE (06 March 2024) The following candidates have been selected:
| Rank | First Name | Last Name | Sex | Country | Country Class. | Training Type |
| First-ranked Candidates | ||||||
| 1 | Richard | Aidoo | M | Ghana | Theoretical & at-sea training | |
| 2 | Sunday | Akinola | M | Nigeria | Theoretical & at-sea training | |
| 3 | Minhazul | Shakik | M | Bangladesh | LDC | Theoretical training only |
| 4 | Denis | Mogusu | M | Kenya | Theoretical training only | |
| Reserve or Alternate Candidates | ||||||
| R1 | Charles | Makio | M | Kenya | ||
| R2 | Nasima | Begum | F | Bangladesh | LDC | |
| R3 | Habiba | Salawu | F | Nigeria | ||
| R4 | Aaron | Auduson | M | Nigeria | ||
In accordance with its contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules, signed with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on 29 March 2001, JSE Yuzhmorgeologiya (Yuzh) is offering four (4) training opportunities for candidates from developing States as part of its 2024 training programme. Two (2) candidates will benefit from theoretical training only, whilst the other two (2) candidates will receive theoretical and at-sea training.
OUTLINE
1. Theoretical Training Component
The theoretical training will be delivered under the programme “Exploration and development of mineral resources of the World Ocean” at St. Petersburg State University in Russia.
The training will be full-time and will be conducted in-person. However, in instances where it may not be possible to deliver the training in-person, provisions will be made to deliver the training virtually.
The course will cover the following subject areas, providing a basic introduction to each topic:
| 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 |
| 2.3 | 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 geochemistry study |
| 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 |
2. At-sea Training Component
Of the four (4) trainees to be selected, only two (2) will participate in an at-sea (expeditionary) training to be carried out in 2024-2025. Training will be conducted onboard a research vessel doing expeditionary work in the Russian Exploration Area in the Pacific Ocean.
DURATION
1. Theoretical Training Component
The training will be held in St. Petersburg at St. Petersburg State University for approximately two (2) weeks between the second half of May and the first half of June 2024. The exact dates will be later communicated to the trainees with sufficient notice given.
2. At-sea Training Component
The at-sea (expeditionary) training is planned to be carried out in 2024-2025, with an approximate duration of 60 days. The exact dates will be determined and later communicated to the trainees with ample notice given.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for this programme, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Education: at least a bachelor’s degree or experience in geological and geophysical work, offshore preferably.
- Language: Proficiency in English. Elementary knowledge of Russian is advantageous.
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
In addition to the costs directly for training, MNRE will cover all costs related to:
- Visas to enter the Russian Federation.
- Transportation of trainees from their places of residence to the place of study and back to their places of residence.
- Accommodation and meals during the training.
- Insurance during the training.
- Transportation of trainees from their place of residence to the vessel homeport and back.
- Accommodation and meals onboard the research vessel during the cruise.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Trainees will also be required to sign the ISA Contractors’ Training Programme General Guidance and Code of Conduct for Trainees prior to the start of the training.
At the end of the training, trainees must submit a report to Yuzh 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 educational pursuits.
Trainees who have successfully completed their training will receive certificates.
HOW TO APPLY:
All interested applicants are invited to register through the ISA online portal through which they will submit their applications along with the requested documents including:
- A coloured passport sized photo
- A copy of their passport biographical page or national identification card.
- Signed nomination form [doc/pdf] by the nominating entity.
- Copy of degree and/or certificate
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of English.
Applicants must select the following options when applying for this training opportunity via the Application Portal:
Contractor Name: Yuzhmorgeologiya (Yuzh)/PMN
Year: 2024
Programme Name: Theoretical and at-sea training
Application Deadline: 2 February 2024. 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), Yuzhmorgeologiya has pledged to allocate 50% of its training opportunities to qualified women applicants.