Archive - Geoscientists and Oceanographers (NOC 2113)

If you are interested in working as a Geoscientist or Oceanographer in Canada, you will be pleased to know that jobseekers for your occupation in Canada are in high demand.

You can use this overview of the Canadian employment prospects in your field to start planning your immigration and settlement in Canada.

Important statistics for this occupation:

• The majority of job openings in this field will arise from retirements.
• The industry is expected to benefit from growth in the mining sector as a result of the increase in global demand for raw materials.
• Immigration will represent a significant share of job seekers in this field, with one of the highest proportion of immigrants.
• The median yearly income for Geoscientists and Oceanographers is $89,440 in Canada, with high incomes reported in the range of $133,300.

Duties for Geoscientists and Oceanographers

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. Oceanographers conduct programs of exploration and research on ocean processes and phenomena, biological, chemical and physical characteristics of oceans, interactions with atmospheric and geological environments and impacts of human activity on oceans and marine ecosystems. Geoscientists are employed by petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology, geophysics and engineering firms and by governments and educational institutions, or they may be self-employed. Oceanographers are employed by governments, educational institutions and private companies engaged in exploration of seafloor deposits and seafarming areas, or they may be self-employed.

Description of Main Duties

Geoscientists perform some or all of the following duties:

• 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, direct and participate in seismic, electromagnetic, magnetic, gravimetric, radiometric, radar and other remote sensing programs
• Plan, direct and participate in the analysis of geological, geochemical and geophysical survey data, well logs and other test results, maps, notes and cross sections
• Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of data
• Plan, direct and participate in the analysis 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
• Assess the movement of ground and surface waters and advise in areas such as waste management, route and site selection and the restoration of contaminated sites
• Recommend the acquisition of lands, exploration and mapping programs and mine development
• Conduct geological and geophysical studies for regional development, site selection and the development of public works projects
• Identify and anticipate natural risks such as slope erosion, landslides, soil instability, subsidence, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
• May supervise and co-ordinate 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 perform some or all of the following duties:

• 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

Example job titles for Geoscientists and Oceanographers:

• Geologist
• Mineralogist
• Paleontologist
• Well site coordinator
• Volcanologist

Find out about salary ranges for Geoscientists and Oceanographers in different Canadian cities with our Canada Salary Calculator.

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