Applications are now open for six (6) at-sea on-board training opportunities for candidates from developing States, Members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The placements are provided by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF-ROK) in accordance with its obligations under both its contracts for exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts (CFC) and polymetallic sulphides (PMS) with ISA.

Under the CFC exploration contract, MOF-ROK is offering two (2) at-sea placements on a cruise to be organized by Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) within the MOF-ROK contract area in the western Pacific Ocean. The cruise will take place on-board R/V Isabu and will focus on geological and geophysical survey. The scheduled date for the cruise is from 30 November to 24 December 2022 (dates may be subjected to change due to pandemic situation).

The training will focus on i) geophysical survey such as acquisition and processing of seafloor acoustic data (bathymetry and acoustic intensity) using deep-towed side scan sonar or ii) geological survey using piston corer, multiple corer, box corer, dredge, etc., and geological data analyses.

Interested candidates should possess a bachelor or master's degree in the field of marine geophysics or marine geology, or an equivalent educational background.

Please visit this link (CFC) for more information and to apply. Applications by qualified candidates should be received no later than 31 July 2022.

Under its PMS exploration contract, MOF-ROK is offering four (4) training placements on-board the R/V Isabu. The cruise will be organized by KIOST within the MOF-ROK contract area in the Indian Ocean mid-ocean ridge. It will be divided into two legs and the training opportunities will be offered as follows:

1. two (2) training placements during the first leg which will take place in March 2023 for approximately 25 days onboard. The exploration will focus on geophysical survey such as acquisition and processing of topography and geomagnetic data. Interested candidates should possess a bachelor or master's degree in the field of marine geophysics or an equivalent educational background.
2. two (2) training placements on the second leg which is planned for April 2023 for approximately 25 days focusing on marine geology and environmental baseline study such as exploration of massive sulphide deposits, benthic and pelagic environmental survey, deep-sea sampling equipment and instrumentation, and sample analysis. Interested candidates should possess a bachelor or master's degree in the field of marine geology or marine environmental studies or an equivalent educational background.

The exact dates for both cruises are to be confirmed in late 2022 (subject to change due to pandemic situation) and candidates will be provided with as much prior notice as possible.

Please visit this link (PMS) for more information and to apply. Applications by qualified candidates should be received no later than 31 August 2022.

One of the Voluntary Commitments made by the ISA at the UN Ocean Conference 2017 was "Enhancing the role of Women in Deep-Sea Research through capacity building" - we therefore strongly encourage suitably qualified females to apply for these training opportunities.

Please visit this page to know more about the Contractor Training Programme.

For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Annekah Mason, Training Coordinator, ISA, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.