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Geophysical Assistant

💰 $ - $

GeoscienceEnergy SectorEnvironmental ConsultingField OperationsData Analysis

🎯 Role Definition

The Geophysical Assistant is a foundational role in the world of geoscience, providing essential support to senior geophysicists and project teams. This position involves a dynamic blend of hands-on fieldwork, meticulous data management, and initial data processing. Whether deploying sensors for a seismic survey, performing quality control on incoming data streams, or helping to create preliminary maps, the Geophysical Assistant is instrumental in the early stages of the exploration and site characterization lifecycle. They are the detail-oriented problem-solvers who ensure the foundational data upon which critical decisions are made is accurate, organized, and reliable. This role is perfect for a recent graduate or early-career professional passionate about Earth sciences and eager to gain practical experience in the field and office.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Geoscience Graduate (B.S. or M.S.)
  • Field Technician
  • Surveying Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Geophysicist
  • Data Processor / Processing Geophysicist
  • Project Geophysicist
  • Field Operations Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Geologist
  • GIS Analyst
  • Data Scientist (Geoscience focus)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist in the planning and execution of land, marine, or airborne geophysical surveys, including seismic, gravity, magnetic, and electromagnetic methods.
  • Operate, calibrate, and maintain a wide range of geophysical equipment and instruments in both field and laboratory settings to ensure optimal performance.
  • Perform daily quality control (QC) checks on acquired geophysical data to ensure it meets project specifications and identify any potential issues for immediate correction.
  • Meticulously document all field activities, including survey parameters, equipment settings, environmental conditions, and any deviations from the plan, in a detailed daily log.
  • Contribute to the safe execution of field operations by strictly adhering to all Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policies and participating in pre-job safety meetings.
  • Process raw geophysical data using specialized software packages under the guidance of senior geophysicists, applying initial filters and corrections.
  • Manage and organize large volumes of digital data, ensuring proper file naming conventions, version control, and secure backup procedures are followed.
  • Assist in the initial interpretation of geophysical data by generating preliminary maps, cross-sections, and plots for review by the project team.
  • Prepare and assemble technical drawings, figures, and maps for inclusion in project reports, presentations, and client deliverables using GIS and other mapping software.
  • Conduct research and literature reviews on specific geological areas, geophysical techniques, or historical data to support project planning and analysis.
  • Support the mobilization and demobilization of field equipment, which may involve packing, shipping, and inventory management.
  • Troubleshoot and perform minor repairs on geophysical instruments and associated computer hardware in the field to minimize operational downtime.
  • Collect and manage navigation and positioning data (e.g., GPS, DGPS) to ensure the accurate spatial referencing of all geophysical measurements.
  • Collaborate effectively with field crews, data processors, geologists, and project managers to ensure seamless workflow and communication.
  • Prepare data packages for transfer to clients or other internal departments, ensuring all required components and metadata are included.
  • Assist in the integration of geophysical data with other geoscientific datasets, such as well logs, geological maps, and remote sensing imagery.
  • Monitor real-time data acquisition streams to identify and flag anomalous readings or equipment malfunctions.
  • Contribute to the compilation and writing of technical reports, summarizing survey methodologies, data processing steps, and preliminary findings.
  • Maintain the geophysical database, ensuring data is correctly cataloged, archived, and readily accessible for future use.
  • Participate in ongoing professional development and training to stay current with new geophysical technologies, software, and industry best practices.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with the logistical planning for field projects, including travel arrangements and procurement of supplies.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and perform exploratory data analysis for internal research initiatives.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of data acquisition and processing workflows by providing feedback and suggestions.
  • Maintain a detailed inventory of geophysical equipment, software licenses, and field consumables.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with geophysical data processing software (e.g., SeisWare, Kingdom Suite, Oasis Montaj, Radan, ProMAX/UniPro).
  • Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) for spatial analysis and mapping.
  • Knowledge of fundamental geophysical principles and survey techniques (seismic reflection/refraction, GPR, magnetics, resistivity).
  • Ability to perform rigorous data quality control (QC) and data management for large datasets.
  • Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB for data manipulation and automation is a strong plus.
  • Experience operating and troubleshooting electronic field instruments and GPS/GNSS equipment.
  • Understanding of database management principles and experience with SQL is desirable.
  • Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for data analysis, reporting, and presentations.
  • Basic understanding of geology and geological mapping concepts.
  • Familiarity with survey design and navigation principles for data acquisition.

Soft Skills

  • Strong Attention to Detail: Critical for ensuring data accuracy and quality control in both field and office environments.
  • Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot equipment and data issues methodically, often under pressure.
  • Adaptability and Resilience: Capable of working in challenging and remote field conditions, with changing priorities and schedules.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration: Works effectively with diverse teams of technical and non-technical personnel.
  • Effective Communication: Clearly conveys technical information, observations, and safety concerns both verbally and in writing.
  • Work Ethic and Self-Motivation: Proactive and able to work independently with minimal supervision when required.
  • Commitment to Safety: Prioritizes and promotes safe work practices for oneself and the entire team.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science (M.S.) degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Geophysics, Geology
  • Earth Science, Physics
  • Environmental Science, or a related engineering discipline

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-3 years of relevant experience in a related field.

Preferred: Prior internship, co-op, or direct fieldwork experience is highly advantageous. Experience with specific geophysical methods (e.g., seismic, GPR) or in a particular industry (e.g., oil & gas, environmental, engineering) is a plus.

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