Student Opportunities

Opportunities
​A list of training opportunities for early and mid-career professionals in fields relating to marine science. For internship and postdoctoral opportunities, please have a look at the Vacancies page.
Opportunity
Institution
  
Closing Date
  
Virtual Fair & Bachelor and Master's degree University of Bologna, Italy
24-25 Feb 2025
The University of Bologna organizes orientation days for future international students.  
  1. The first initiative is the Virtual Fair - Bachelor’s Programmes, which will be held on 25 February 2025 from 9.30 am to 5 pm, and is addressed to those who intend to enroll in a single cycle Bachelor or Master degree.
  2. The second activity is the Virtual Fair - Master’s Programmes​, which will take place on 26 February 2025 from 10 am to 5 pm, and is aimed at those who wish to continue their studies with a Master’s degree. 
In addition to information on our courses, students will receive advice on how to access, registration procedures, scholarships offered and services available. Students will also be able to participate in a real university lecture and interact with international students enrolled at University of Bologna. The events are free, but registration is required. Both initiatives will be held in Italian and English. The University of Bologna also highlights the International Talents @ Unibo programme, which offers deserving international students scholarships and exemption from tuition fees for two academic years.  For further information on the various initiatives, please contact the International Relations Strategy Support Unit: irss@unibo.it
University of Bologna2/24/2025
12 March
The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), APECS SA, and SANCOR are launching the Mahlalela Mentorship Programme for early-career marine and polar researchers.  The program, named after Dr. Precious Mahlalela, aims to foster professional development through webinars and individualized mentorship, focusing on skills development, diversity, and networking.  An online information session will be held on March 12, 2025, from 13:00-14:00.  Register via the provided link or contact Dr. Wade De Kock at wadedekock@sun.ac.za for inquiries.
SAPRI, APECSSA, SANCOR3/12/2025
The Alfred Wegener Institute, with partners, announces a call for applications for the 5th NoSoAT OceanCapX shipboard training expedition aboard the RV Polarstern, departing Bremerhaven, Germany, on 20 November 2025, and arriving in Walvis Bay, Namibia, on 17 December 2025.  Training berths are available for early-career ocean professionals with limited seagoing experience. "Junior Trainer" berths are open to those with extensive shipboard experience and a passion for teaching.  Applicants must be postgraduate students (Master’s or PhD) in climate or marine science, with preference given to those from low-income countries.  The hands-on training covers five modules: Oceanography/Microplastics, Atmosphere and Climate, Marine Business Applications, Molecular Ecology, and Bathymetry, plus Outreach activities.
AWI & partners3/15/2025
​The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an intergovernmental body that connects science and policy to help protect biodiversity and ecosystems for human well-being and sustainable development. IPBES is calling for nominations for fellows to contribute to its second global assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services.  Early-career individuals with expertise in natural, social sciences, or humanities related to nature and its contributions to people are encouraged to apply by 28 March (for those seeking government nomination) or 6 April (for direct nominations by organizations).  Selected fellows will participate in the assessment process and receive training.  More information and application details are available here.
IPBES3/28/2025
​The UN-Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship offers a 4-month training program at UN Headquarters in New York for government officials (ages 25-45) from developing countries working on ocean affairs and law of the sea issues.  The fellowship focuses on enhancing knowledge of international legal frameworks, particularly UNCLOS, and related SDGs.  Applicants must identify strategic needs for their country and apply by 30 March 2025.
UN & partners3/30/2025
PhD opportunity in Physical Oceanography to investigate the "Drivers influencing sponge distribution along South Africa’s southern and western shores”.  The knowledge derived from this research will be used to inform the management and expansion of Marine Protected Area networks in South Africa. The selected student will form part of the Nansen-Tutu Centre for Marine Environmental Research. The student will be required to spend some of their study period in France with their French supervisor in Brest. No closing date indicated.
Nansen-Tutu Centre3/31/2025
26 - 30 May 2025
The Anton Dohrn Napoli Zoological Station (SZN) will host the upcoming Summer School 2025 ECOWAVES,entitled "Marine Soundscapes in the Anthropophony Era", which will take place from 26-30 May 2025, at the Darwin-Dohrn Museum of SZN in Naples, Italy. This intensive programme offers participants a comprehensive introduction to the application of acoustics in ecological studies. Early-career researchers, graduate students and professionals with an interest in marine ecology and bioacoustics are invited to apply.  Attendees will explore the science of acoustic waves in seawater, gaining fundamental knowledge of the physics of sound and the use of cutting-edge instruments to analyse marine soundscapes. Through a combination of theoretical sessions and hands-on training, participants will develop the skills needed to assess the role of sound in marine ecosystems and evaluate the impacts of noise on the physiology and behaviour of marine organisms. The programme takes a multidisciplinary approach, equipping attendees with the tools to contribute to innovative research and conservation strategies in marine ecology.
Anton Dohrn Napoli Zoological Station (SZN)4/4/2025
The Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (and collaborators) is offering a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to share lessons learnt in developing the Algoa Bay Marine Spatial Plan (MSP). The MOOC will be available for free on the Nelson Mandela University's Engage platform and can be accessed at any time by anybody around the World! Click here for further details, if you are interested in doing this Course, kindly register here​. YouTube details: https://youtu.be/_g2PxfPKVOQ
NMU12/31/2025