Geoscientists and oceanographers

NOC

21102

explore and research the structure, composition and processes of the earth; explore and research ocean processes, phenomena, characteristics, and interactions with the atmosphere and land.

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Full NOC Description

Geoscientists include geologists, geochemists and geophysicists who conduct programs of exploration and research to extend knowledge of the structure, composition and processes of the earth, to locate, identify and extract hydrocarbon, mineral and groundwater resources and to assess and mitigate the effects of development and waste disposal projects on the environment.

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Geoscientists

Conduct theoretical and applied research to extend knowledge of surface and subsurface features of the earth, its history and the operation of physical, chemical and biological systems that control its evolution

Plan, direct and participate in geological, geochemical and geophysical field studies, drilling and geological testing programs

Plan and conduct seismic, geodetic, electromagnetic, magnetic, gravimetric, radiometric, radar and other remote sensing programs

Plan, direct and participate in analyses of geological, geochemical and geophysical survey data, well logs and other test results, maps, notes and cross sections

Develop models and applied software for the analysis and interpretation of data

Plan and conduct analytical studies of core samples, drill cuttings and rock samples to identify chemical, mineral, hydrocarbon and biological composition and to assess depositional environments and geological age

Assess the size, orientation and composition of mineral ore bodies and hydrocarbon deposits

Identify deposits of construction materials and determine their characteristics and suitability for use as concrete aggregates, road fill or for other applications

Conduct geological and geophysical studies for regional development and advise in areas such as site selection, waste management and restoration of contaminated sites

Recommend the acquisition of lands, exploration and mapping programs and mine development

Identify and advise on anticipated natural risks such as slope erosion, landslides, soil instability, subsidence, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

May supervise and coordinate well drilling, completion and work-overs and mining activities.

Geologists may specialize in fields such as coal geology, environmental geology, geochronology, hydrogeology, mineral deposits or mining, petroleum geology, stratigraphy, tectonics, volcanology or in other fields.

Geochemists may specialize in analytical geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, mineral or petroleum geochemistry or in other fields.

Geophysicists may specialize in areas, such as petroleum geology, earth physics, geodesy, geoelectromagnetism, seismology or in other fields.

Oceanographers

Conduct theoretical and applied oceanographic research programs and expeditions to extend knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological properties and functioning of oceans

Plan, direct and participate in sampling and analysis of seawater, plankton, fish, sediments and rocks

Study physical properties of oceans to develop models, charts and computer simulations of ocean conditions, such as tides, waves, currents and sediment transport

Explore ocean floor and submarine geological structures, conduct seismic surveys and study formation of ocean basins and other structures to map ocean floor, coastal erosion, sediment accumulation and areas for offshore oil and gas exploration

Plan and conduct investigations on ocean chemical properties and processes, ocean floor and marine atmosphere and undersea volcanoes to study impacts of environmental changes

Study marine life and interaction with physical and chemical environments to assess impacts of pollutants on marine ecology and to develop ecologically-based methods of seafarming.

Oceanographers may specialize in biological, chemical, geological or physical oceanography, or in other fields related to the study of oceans.

Also Known As

development geologist
environmental geologist
exploration geologist
geochemist
geologist

geophysicist

glaciologist

groundwater geologist

hydrogeologist

hydrologist

mine geologist

mineralogist

oceanographer

paleontologist

petroleum geologist

petrologist

sedimentologist

seismologist

stratigrapher

Requirements

Employment Requirements

Geoscientists require a university degree in geology, geochemistry, geophysics or a related discipline.

A master's or doctoral degree in geophysics, physics, mathematics or engineering may be required for employment as a geophysicist.

Registration with a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers, geologists, geophysicists or geoscientists is usually required for employment and is mandatory to practice in all provinces and territories except Prince Edward Island and the Yukon.

Geologists and geophysicists are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program and after several years of supervised work experience and, in some provinces, after passing a professional practice examination.

Oceanographers require a university degree in science, mathematics, statistics or engineering and usually require a graduate degree in oceanography.

Provincial Regulation

Provincially Regulated: Yes

Regulation Body

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick

Employment by Sex

The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

Data legend

15.8%

Female

84.2%

Male

Employment by age

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

Data legend

0.0%

15-24

0.0%

25-34

0.0%

35-44

0.0%

45-54

0.0%

55-64

0.0%

65+

Employment by highest level of education

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

Data legend

0.0%

No Certificate, Diploma or Degree

0.0%

High School, Diploma or Equivalent

0.0%

Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma

0.0%

College or University Below Bachelor Level

100.0%

University - Bachelor Level or Above

Employment by Industry

The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

Data legend

31.6%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

31.6%

Professional, scientific and technical services

26.3%

Public administration

10.5%

All Other Industries

Employment by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

Data legend

42.10%

Northeast

N/A

Southeast

21.10%

Southwest

31.60%

Central

N/A

Northwest

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

No Data Available

Data legend

No Data Available

Economic Regions

Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

No Data Available

Salary

The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

Employment Outlook

The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

Occupational Profiles