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Geoscientist
Hours
Variable
Starting salary
£20,000 + per year
Geologists are involved in the scientific study of the structure, evolution and dynamics of the Earth. They also study its natural resources. They investigate the internal and external processes that have shaped the Earth throughout its history. If you are fascinated by the planet we live on and you would love to study it, this could a perfect career choice.
To do this job you should have strong spoken and written communication skills. You will need to be able to work on your own and as part of a team. You might also need to be away from home for long periods.
To work as a geologist you will need a degree in a relevant physical science subject.
WorkDesc
The work
As a geoscientist, you would use a range of investigation methods in your work, including drilling, seismic surveying, satellite and aerial imagery, and electromagnetic measurement. You could use your knowledge and expertise in a number of ways, for example:
- assessing the safety and impact of creating a dam or tunnel on a civil engineering project
- locating a suitable landfill or storage site for nuclear waste
- searching for energy resources and minerals, such as gas and oil
- designing exploration programmes for new water supplies
- studying volcanic and seismic activity to develop early warning systems for communities living close to active zones.
Geoscience is a broad subject that includes many sub-sectors. You could specialise in an area such as geophysics, environmental geology, natural hazards, energy resources, or mining and extraction.
HoursDesc
Hours
Your hours of work would depend on the sector you work in. Some jobs could involve working 9 am to 5 pm in an office or laboratory. In other areas like drilling or testing, you may work longer hours and have a more irregular schedule. If you were based at an oil rig, you would spend several weeks on an offshore platform, followed by the same amount of time onshore as leave.
Fieldwork and research trips could involve working in remote parts of the world, on land and at sea. This type of work could be physically demanding, depending on the project and conditions.
IncomeDesc
Income
Geoscientists can earn between £20,000 and £30,000 a year.
With experience this can rise to around £40,000 to £50,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To work as a professional geoscientist you will need a degree in a relevant physical science subject such as geology, geophysics, or geochemistry. Courses often combine theory with fieldwork and practical training.
To do a degree, you are likely to need five GCSEs (A-C) including English, plus three A levels in subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology and maths.
See the Geological Society website for a list of relevant degree courses that also meet the first stage requirements for becoming a Chartered Geologist (CGeol).
Competition for work is strong. When applying for jobs or promotion, it may help you if you have some specialist vocational skills gained through further study at postgraduate, Masters or PhD level.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are working, you would usually receive on-the-job training from your employer. This may be combined with taking short courses or working towards a postgraduate qualification on a part-time basis.
Many universities offer postgraduate and taught MSc courses in specialist areas like petroleum geology. Entry requirements usually include a first or upper second class honours degree. For a museum or research post, you will usually need to have, or be working towards, a PhD or DPhil (doctorate).
You could go on to apply to the Geological Society for Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status. The Society will take into account your qualifications, work background and experience. You could also apply for Chartered Scientist (CSci) status if you feel this title more accurately describes the work you do. Check their website for details.
The Geological Society also runs a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, which would help you keep your skills and knowledge up to date.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a geoscientist, you should have:
- an interest in the natural world
- good scientific and technical skills
- good observation skills
- strong spoken and written communication skills
- a methodical approach, including to solving problems
- a good level of general fitness
- the ability to work independently and as part of a team
- the ability to work with statistical and graphical information
- a willingness to travel and be away from home for long periods.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) 
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411500
www.nerc.ac.uk
Geological Society
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London
W1J 0BG
Tel: 020 7434 9944
www.geolsoc.org.uk
British Geological Survey
Kingsley Dunham Centre
Keyworth
Nottingham
NG12 5GG
Tel: 0115 936 3143
www.bgs.ac.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
Work opportunities will tend to be in response to the discovery, exploitation and demand for resources. The oil and gas industry is the main employer of geoscientists at all levels, although requirements go in cycles.
Two of the largest employers of geoscientists in the UK are the British Geological Survey, which is part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and the Environment Agency.
With experience, you could progress towards a consultant position, or move into other areas of work such as teaching or management.
For general reading and vacancy information, you could check journals like Geology Today and Nature. The following websites may also be useful (links open in a new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The oil and gas industry is part of the broader science‐based sector represented by Cogent Sector Skills Council, which also includes chemicals, polymers, nuclear, petroleum and pharmaceuticals industries. Most goods used by people in their homes, at work and in their everyday activities are products derived from the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. The combined industries represent nearly half a million people in the UK and are of huge economic and strategic importance to the UK.
The UK oil and gas industry operates as one part of a global business and its product is traded internationally.
There has been a decline in UK oil and gas output since 2000 and this is not forecast to change significantly to 2017. Industry needs are determined by high energy prices, the volatility of the oil price, the uncertainty over reserves and poor reservoir performance. These all undermine investment in discovery and extraction. The UK offshore industry will continue to make a contribution to the UK’s energy supply for many years to come. Over the longer term, oil and gas production in the North Sea will fall as reserves become depleted and it becomes increasingly difficult to find new wells.
New discoveries, on-going operations, planned lifetime extensions for existing operations, decommissioning activities and retirement of the incumbent workforce, are all factors that mean the industry has a sustained recruitment demand with a requirement for skills training and up‐skilling of the incumbent workforce.
Keeping the UK Continental Shelf competitive will require exploration and production activities to be carried out, requiring a diversity of people from geoscientist to engineers and from environmental scientists to electricians.
Key facts:
- The skills developed in the UK workforce are in demand globally.
- In 2007/08, there were 40 new fields on‐stream in the UK Continental Shelf.
- The industry is highly capital intensive with capital expenditure of £5.6 billion.
- It is one of the UK’s strongest industry investors in research and development.
- Sustainability of the UK Continental Shelf is highly dependent upon the development and realisation of new technologies.
- Oil and gas together met 75% of UK primary energy demand in 2005.
Jobs in the oil and gas industry are divided into:
- Discipline engineers – graduate engineer, engineer, senior/lead engineer, specialist/principal engineer, engineering/operations management
- Offshore technicians – maintenance technician, production technician, senior/lead production technician, shift supervisor, operations management
National and regional data
Across Great Britain, there are an estimated 28,000 people working in the oil and gas industry. The largest number of employees is located in:
- Scotland
- East of England
- North West
73% of the oil and gas industry workforce are employed in Scotland; 38% are in Aberdeen. There are also clusters of activity in Orkney, Shetland and Cromarty. In the East of England, 21,000 people are directly employed in the industry and a further 10,000 are indirectly working in the industry. The region is a significant centre for the industry focused on Norfolk, with offshore support in Lowestoft and Norfolk.
Career paths
Careers in the industry are usually well‐paid and long‐term, with opportunities throughout the UK and often worldwide too. For further information:
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