Geologists and geophysicists
Geologists and geophysicists conduct research; improve or develop concepts, theories and operational methods, or apply scientific knowledge relating to geology and geophysics in such fields as oil, gas and mineral exploration and extraction, water conservation, civil engineering, telecommunications and navigation, and assessment and mitigation of the effects of development and waste disposal projects on the environment.
Skill level: Highly skilledCheck your pay
- Salary range for the majority of workers in Geologists and geophysicists - from R23 081 to R84 190 per month - 2026.
- A Geologists and geophysicists typically earns between R23 081 and R46 010 net per month at the start of the job.
- After 5 years of service, this is between R30 114 and R59 558 per month for a working week of 45 hours.
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Duties and tasks
- Conducting research and improving or developing concepts, theories and operational methods related to geology and geophysics
- Studying composition and structure of the Earth’s crust, examining rocks, minerals, fossils and other materials to determine processes affecting the development of the Earth, trace evolution of past life, establish the nature and chronology of geological formations and assess their commercial applications
- Interpreting research data and preparing geological reports, maps, charts and diagrams, reports and papers
- Applying geological knowledge to problems encountered in civil engineering projects such as the construction of dams, bridges, tunnels, and large buildings and land reclamation projects
- Using various remote sensing programs to investigate and measure seismic, gravitational, electrical, thermal, and magnetic forces affecting the earth
- Estimating weight, size and mass of the earth and composition and structure of its interior, and studying the nature, activity and predictability of volcanoes, glaciers and earthquakes
- Charting the earth's magnetic field and applying this and other collected data for broadcasting, navigation and other purposes
- Studying and measuring physical properties of seas and the atmosphere and their inter-relationship, such as the exchange of thermal energy
- Locating and determining the nature and extent of oil, gas and mineral deposits using seismological, gravimetric, magnetic, electrical or radiometric methods
- Identifying deposits of construction materials and determining their characteristics and suitability for use as concrete aggregates, road fill or for other applications
- Researching the movement, distribution and physical properties of ground and surface waters
- Advising in areas such as waste management, route and site selection and the restoration of contaminated sites
