Geochemist

Salary
Graduate: £20,000 to £26,500
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £31,000 to £48,500

Main Employers

• Oil and gas operators
• Consultancies
• Mining companies
• Environmental consultancies
• Universities
• Specialist environmental bodies
• Self employment

Job Profile
Geochemists monitor developments in Earth's composition. They develop detailed information about the age, nature and structure of specific areas, which is vital to industrial research in developing natural resources, and to academic study in extending knowledge of the earth's solid matter.

In industry, geochemists study the generation and migration processes of petroleum by applying a combination of theoretical knowledge and specific petroleum geochemistry techniques. This includes the use of computers to simulate geochemical and geological processes. The information is then used to develop more efficient methods of exploration and production.

Role and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

• Analysing the age, nature and components of rock, soil and other environmental samples
• Taking sample tests, including gas chromatography, carbon and isotope data, viscosity and solvent extraction
• Interpreting a wide range of data and analysis results
• Undertaking long-range theoretical and applied research
• Writing technical reports and papers for journals
• Giving presentations at conferences, lectures and other events
• Developing databases to track and organise information
• Generating computer models using specialist software
• Mapping specific areas for research and analysis
• Undertaking field visits to collect site samples
• Liaising with geologists, petroleum engineers and commercial managers

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Applied Science; Chemical Engineering; Geochemistry; Geology; Geophysics; Geotechnology; Marine Sciences; Mineral Engineering; Oceanography; Physical Science

Laboratory-based technical staff with the relevant HND and work experience can enter geochemistry. However, an MSc is often considered essential and research bodies generally seek employees with a relevant PhD.

Career Development
Career development in this field can be challenging because of the demand for specialist knowledge for each sector of the industry. There are a limited number of jobs, particularly within academic and environmental research institutions, so competition for work can be intense. The job market fluctuates with oil prices, so this can cause extra difficulties.

Oil and gas specialists may progress into consultancy-based project work. Analysts can move into environmental work, such as investigating chemical contamination of land at a landfill site, disused industrial site or agricultural site.
Geochemists are also employed by mining companies to assist in developing sites, for example, mapping the location, concentration and movement of chemicals over large areas of land to help them find the likely location of resources, such as coal or uranium, leading to exploratory mining or drilling.  

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