Geoscientist
Geoscientists study the Earth's structure and formation above and below ground to explore natural processes, minerals and energy resources.
Also known as: Geologist
- Starter salary£28,000 a year
- Experienced£75,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 45 a week
What you'll do
As a geoscientist in the field, you might:
- assess sites for engineering projects, like dam or tunnel building
- search for gas, oil and mineral resources
- investigate potential locations to exploit geothermal energy
- study volcanic and seismic activity to develop early warning systems for eruptions and earthquakes
- collect data on groundwater levels to measure the impact of climate change
- research ways to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it safely
- supervise technical teams on site
In the laboratory, you could:
- study rock samples, using scientific instruments
- use software modelling to simulate underground rock formations
- analyse soil, air and water samples for pollution and contamination levels
Working environment
You could work in a laboratory, in an office or visit sites.
Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of geography
- analytical thinking skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- knowledge of physics
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
How to become a geoscientist
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
University
To work as a professional geoscientist you'll need a degree in a relevant subject. Courses often combine theory with fieldwork and practical training.
Degree subjects include:
- geology
- geoscience
- geophysics
- Earth science
It's becoming more common for new entrants to hold or be working towards postgraduate qualifications like an MSc or PhD.
Integrated postgraduate master's qualifications like a MGeol or MSci can be studied at university. These courses include more independent research and are designed to lead directly onto further study like a PhD.
It's useful to get some work experience through an internship or year in industry placement while you are at university. Your university careers service can help you find opportunities.
Organisations like Geology for Global Development also run projects and placements to help you gain skills.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Geoscientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
You could also apply to do a Geotechnical Engineer Level 7 Integrated Degree Apprenticeship if you already have a first degree in a subject like::
- engineering
- science
- geoscience
- maths
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior geoscientist, project manager or consultant. You might also work in higher education research and teaching.
You could apply for chartered status. This demonstrates that you have a high level of knowledge and expertise in your profession. The exact chartership will depend on your job but examples include:
- Chartered Geologist
- Chartered Scientist
- Chartered Environmentalist
Career tips
Experience of specialist geological software and computer modelling packages can be an advantage when you are applying for jobs.
Since many employers of geoscientists operate internationally, extra language skills can also be useful.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
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- Job roleSeismologist
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0