Geoscientist
Geoscientists study Earth's structure, processes and natural resources to understand natural events and support environmental and engineering decision-making
As a geoscientist, discover and develop commercially viable and exploitable reserves of natural resources, such as oil, gas, minerals and water.
You may also work in areas such as seismology, volcanology, environmental protection, land reclamation or oceanography.
Whatever your area of focus is, you'll study the physical structure of the earth - how it was formed, the processes involved and how it's changing.
Types of geoscientist
- geochemist
- geologist
- geophysicist
- hydrogeologist
- mining engineer
- sedimentologist
- volcanologist.
Responsibilities
As a geoscientist, you'll need to:
- monitor and ensure consistent data quality
- use technical software to interpret subsurface geology and assess resource potential
- build geological models to predict distribution and characteristics of resource-bearing strata
- estimate the quality and economic viability of deposits
- collaborate with drilling engineers to select well locations
- produce and present geological maps, reports and risk analyses
- plan and oversee exploration drilling programmes and well trajectories
- work in multidisciplinary teams to propose and execute field operations
- innovate by implementing new technologies in seismic processing and geological modelling
- advise engineers and senior management on geology-related project risks
- use satellite imagery, gravity and magnetic surveys particularly in exploration interpret well core and fluid samples in certain roles.
Salary
- Starting salaries are in the region of £28,000 to £35,000.
- Typical salaries at senior level range from £45,000 to £55,000 per year.
- Pay varies according to the role and industry - for example, geophysicists often earn higher salaries due to their level of technical knowledge, especially when working in the oil and gas industry.
Other factors affecting salary levels include the type of work you're involved in and your employer, location, experience and qualifications.
Benefits such as a pension, private healthcare and life insurance are often provided. Bonus schemes tend to be performance related. An allowance may be made for offshore or overseas work.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
Working hours are usually around 39 to 42 per week, but at times you may be required to work longer or irregular hours for field or offshore work. Geoscientists based in offices or laboratories tend to have the most regular working pattern.
Geoscientists involved in exploration can expect time abroad or at sea followed by a similar length of time on leave, and then the same length of time based in the office.
What to expect
- Physical conditions may sometimes be tough and demanding and field environments can be challenging, sometimes involving tough terrain, remote locations and offshore rigs.
- Specialists in areas like mining or exploration may work predominantly overseas; in the UK work is often found in the South East and London, and in Scotland it's often centered around Aberdeen.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration is key, and you'll work alongside engineers, environmental experts and project managers.
- Freelance or consultancy work is possible with experience, and many geoscientists eventually set up their own consultancies.
Qualifications
Relevant degree subjects include physical, mathematical and applied sciences. The following degree subjects may increase your chances of entry:
- earth sciences
- geochemistry
- geology
- geophysics/geotechnology
- geoscience
- mathematics
- physics.
Jobs available on graduation include:
- monitoring drilling activity
- well logging
- site investigation
- some posts with the Environment Agency
- quarrying and aggregates.
Although it's possible to enter a career in geosciences straight after your degree, many graduates go on to further study to learn specialist skills before applying for jobs.
A postgraduate qualification, such as a Masters degree in geophysics or geoscience, or a PhD in a relevant area of geosciences (such as geophysics, petroleum geology, hydrogeology or sedimentology), may improve your employment prospects and long-term career development. This may, in turn, lead to a higher salary. Further study can also provide opportunities to make contacts through projects within industry or attendance at conferences.
An alternative route is to start as a geotechnician and to progress to the role of geoscientist with the experience you’ve gained and by completing some relevant postgraduate study.
Search postgraduate courses in geoscience.
Skills
You will need to have:
- strong IT, numerical and computational skills, to handle large data sets
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- flexibility and the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- the ability to express ideas and findings clearly, both orally and in writing, to produce reports and make presentations
- observational skills
- the ability to learn quickly, work to deadlines and under pressure
- analytical and problem-solving skills
- good project-management skills
- attention to detail and the ability to record information accurately
- a commitment to continual learning.
Work experience
Practical work experience through summer work, internships or work shadowing is extremely valuable. Many of the large multinational companies (e.g. engineering, petroleum, environmental and water) offer paid internships and summer vacation work on projects of operational significance.
Try to get relevant work experience, for example with a seismic contractor or as a technical assistant with an oil company. Large energy companies such as BP and Shell offer geoscience summer internships. Closing dates for placements may be before Christmas. Vacancies are usually advertised through careers services and on companies' own websites.
Hands-on experience gained through project work, fieldwork or research trips is particularly appealing to employers, and gives you an insight into working in the industry.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Employers
The main employers of geoscientists are:
- construction companies
- consultants - environmental and geotechnical
- contractors - engineering and environmental
- environmental consultancies - e.g. dealing with hydrogeology, waste disposal, pollution control and land quality/remediation
- government agencies
- international oil companies
- mining companies
- petroleum exploration companies
- software companies
- specialist geophysical companies
- the water industry - utilities companies and regulators.
Exploration and extraction is a global business and the oil and gas industry is the largest employer of geoscientists, with an estimated 40% of geoscientists working in the field.
This applies to the UK as well, although other areas such as environmental consulting and geological surveys are growing significantly, and two other major employers are:
Look for job vacancies at:
- - jobs website of The Geological Society
It's worth making targeted speculative applications - you can find details of companies to apply to in .
The Geological Society runs  which cover the full range of geoscience careers and are usually attended by key industry employers.
It's also useful to attend geological meetings and lectures (for example those held by the ) and involve yourself in local clubs and geo-conservation activities.
Professional development
Some of the major oil and gas companies, and engineering and environmental consultancies, offer structured training programmes. Training is delivered through a series of projects or assignments, alongside modules aimed at giving an overview of the business and developing expertise in general and specialist areas.
With smaller companies you're likely to receive on-the-job training, which includes induction and safety and survival training.
You'll usually need a PhD if you want to apply for a research post in industry, university or a museum.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is vital throughout your career, for developing your expertise and keeping up with technical advancements and new areas of work.
For those with a geology degree, membership of The Geological Society can be useful for networking and for keeping up to date with the industry. There are membership bodies for most geoscience disciplines and many employers will encourage you to become chartered with a body relevant to your area of expertise.
Career prospects
Career progression typically leads to more senior roles within your area of expertise, such as team leader or senior manager. You may also move into a specialist technical role, and with experience, transition into consultancy work is often possible.
Being open to relocation, especially internationally, can improve your career prospects as many larger companies offer early-career overseas placements.
You could also specialise in areas such as hazard prediction, carbon storage, or environmental policy. It's also common to move between geoscience subfields – for example, from geophysics to seismology, or from geology into engineering geology.
You could also carry out research in an academic or industry setting.