Description
Apply physics, mathematics, and computational methods to investigate the Earth's physical properties and subsurface structures. Design, acquire, process, and interpret seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical, and electromagnetic data for energy, mineral, geothermal, carbon storage, engineering, environmental, and hazard applications. Build integrated models and communicate results through maps, reports, and presentations.
- • Acquire, process, and interpret seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical, and electromagnetic data to image the subsurface.
- • Design and manage geophysical surveys, including layout, equipment selection, and data quality control.
- • Integrate geophysical results with geological, petrophysical, and geochemical data to build subsurface models.
- • Plan and supervise borehole geophysics, well logging, VSP, and microseismic monitoring programs.
- • Use forward and inverse modeling, tomography, and rock physics to estimate subsurface properties.
- • Map structures, stratigraphy, and faults to locate oil, gas, mineral, geothermal, and carbon storage targets.
- • Evaluate geothermal resources and heat flow using geophysical methods.
- • Identify and evaluate sites for carbon capture, utilization, and storage and monitor injection with time-lapse geophysics.
- • Characterize sites for dams, tunnels, foundations, and other public works using near-surface geophysics.
- • Assess seismic hazards, ground motion, and site response; contribute to earthquake monitoring and early warning.
- • Investigate volcanic and landslide hazards using geophysical imaging and deformation data.
- • Conduct land and marine geophysics, including streamer, node, and GPR surveys, as appropriate.
- • Prepare maps, cross sections, depth and attribute maps, and technical reports summarizing findings.
- • Develop and maintain processing workflows and applied software for geophysical analysis and visualization.
- • Analyze large geophysical datasets using statistical and machine learning methods.
- • Use GPS/GNSS, InSAR, and LiDAR to measure crustal deformation, subsidence, and uplift.
- • Support mine planning by delineating ore bodies and monitoring slope or ground stability.
- • Apply geophysics to environmental investigations, including landfill, contaminant plume, and UXO surveys.
- • Review and validate contractor work plans, deliverables, and compliance with survey and HSE standards.
- • Present results to clients, regulators, stakeholders, or at conferences; publish technical papers.
- • Estimate resources and reserves by linking geophysical attributes to reservoir and rock properties.
- • Advise on the placement of wells, boreholes, and infrastructure based on geophysical interpretations.
- • Perform 4D monitoring of reservoirs, geothermal fields, or CCS projects.
- • Tie seismic to well data and calibrate interpretations with cores, tests, and production history.
- • Maintain, calibrate, and deploy instruments such as seismographs, gravimeters, magnetometers, and EM receivers.
- • Conduct AVO/AVA analysis, anisotropy studies, and velocity modeling for seismic imaging.
- • Execute data QC, noise analysis, and risk assessments before and during acquisition.
- • Create and manage geophysical databases, metadata, and reproducible workflows.
- • Advise on geophysical site characterization for nuclear facilities and waste repositories.
- • Teach, mentor, and train staff in survey design, processing, and interpretation.
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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
