Description
Support geoscientists and engineers by operating and maintaining laboratory instruments (electronic, sonic, nuclear, and related) to analyze rock, soil, fluids, and drill cuttings for resource evaluation. Prepare and test samples, ensure data quality, and document results in LIMS. Produce charts of pressure, temperature, and other well or core characteristics to aid exploration and production decisions.
- • Generate pressure, temperature, and other well or core characteristic charts from laboratory measurements.
- • Evaluate and document mud and drill cuttings properties under supervision.
- • Assist in core logging support, thin-section preparation, and microscopy.
- • Measure porosity, permeability, grain size, density, mineralogy, or hydrocarbon content using approved methods.
- • Plot and summarize data from well logs, core descriptions, and lab results for review.
- • Prepare draft technical reports, data packages, and certificates of analysis.
- • Retrieve and organize background data from internal and public databases to support analyses.
- • Maintain sample inventories, archives, and storage conditions.
- • Enforce laboratory safety protocols and handle hazardous materials per regulations.
- • Coordinate sample workflow and testing priorities to meet project timelines.
- • Communicate results and anomalies to geoscientists and engineers.
- • Support environmental testing of soils, rocks, and cuttings for contaminants or leachability.
- • Contribute laboratory data to resource evaluations, geothermal studies, or carbon storage assessments.
- • Implement new analytical methods or instrument software under guidance.
- • Assist in procurement and upkeep of consumables and spare parts.
- • Test and analyze rock, soil, fluid, and drill-cutting samples using laboratory instruments and methods.
- • Receive, label, and prepare solid and fluid samples, following chain-of-custody and SOPs.
- • Compile, log, and validate test results in LIMS or databases.
- • Maintain detailed lab notebooks, data summaries, and basic plots and charts.
- • Set up, operate, and adjust electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments for sample analysis.
- • Calibrate, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on laboratory equipment.
- • Prepare standard solutions, reagents, and reference materials for analyses.
- • Follow QA/QC procedures, including blanks, standards, and duplicates.
- • Capture and catalog core photos and photomicrographs.
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Energy & Natural Resources
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
