Geophysical data processor : Employers and vacancy sources

The main employers are a small number of specialised oil and gas sector service companies, who tend to work on a global scale. These companies are often involved in data acquisition and data interpretation as well as data processing. Typically, they will have processing centres, or dedicated processing facilities in client offices, in a number of different cities worldwide. However, opportunities also exist with public sector and governmental agencies e.g. the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) .

Each processing centre has to bid for work by responding to calls for tender from the local oil company offices (work is won on the basis of price, processing speed and unique processing software). This results in large workload fluctuations. Many companies resolve this problem by offering temporary overseas contracts to personnel in overstaffed processing centres.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Geological Society Jobs   
• Upstream Online  
• Oil Careers  
• New Scientist Jobs   
• Your Energy Jobs   
• National press.

Specialist recruitment agencies commonly handle vacancies. Vacancies may also be listed in the oil and gas sector press.

PETEX is a biennial conference and exhibition held in London and organised by the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB) . Data processing companies always have a strong presence and attending this event is a good opportunity to meet potential employers under one roof, as well as obtain literature and learn more about the industry.

The Geological Society  runs careers information days which cover the full range of geoscience careers and are usually attended by a number of key industry employers. Its website also has a section on careers and posts job vacancies.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.