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
  
The University of Cape Town's Department of Biological Sciences and the DFFE are seeking an M.Sc. student for 2026 to research the larval development, growth, and settlement of the Cape sea urchin (Parechinus angulosus) under aquaculture conditions. This project is critical for developing a new, locally suitable aquaculture species for the Western Cape. The student will conduct research at the DFFE Marine Aquaculture Research Facility in Sea Point and will work as part of an international team, drawing on previous success with Tripneustes gratilla. Applicants must hold a B.Sc. Honours degree in a related biological science and should seek independent bursary funding, though funding options exist through the LIMAQUA International Joint Laboratory. ​No closing date indicated.
UCT & DFFE1/22/2026
The Bergen Summer Research School at the University of Bergen, Norway, will host 100 international PhD students from 1 to 11 June 2026. The theme, "Ocean Expectations," focuses on collaboratively developing solutions for urgent global challenges related to the sea, including climate change, food security and justice. Participants will engage in two weeks of intensive, interdisciplinary training across five parallel courses and two mandatory sessions, aiming to equip them to advance sustainable and equitable futures for our oceans.
UiB2/1/2026
The Ocean Discovery League is accepting applications for the 2026 "Accessing the Deep" program, targeting early-career professionals in Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. This virtual initiative provides technical training and mentorship in low-cost deep-sea exploration. Running from May to November 2026, the program includes weekly online sessions and personalised project guidance. Participants may receive an internet allowance, while mentees earn a $500 honorarium.
ODL3/4/2026
21 Jan 2026 | Kirstenbosch, Cape Town​
Unlock the potential of Ocean Accounting to drive informed decisions in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). This intensive single-day workshop is designed to introduce participants to the core concepts of ocean accounting and demonstrate its practical application as a robust decision support tool for MSP. Participants will engage in a practical role-play exercise, requiring them to make and defend real-world spatial planning decisions. Using ocean accounting information, attendees will learn to evaluate trade-offs across economic sectors, critically assessing the associated social community and environmental costs and benefits.
IOI-SA & Partners12/15/2026