Senior Research Manager

TGS; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

TGS | 4C is seeking a high-impact leader to guide a technically strong Imaging organization team. The role focuses on validating and operationalizing new imaging technologies and translating prototype tools into scalable production workflows.

The candidate should have a PhD in geophysics or related field, strong leadership, and a global outlook, with experience driving QC and cross-functional collaboration across R&D, production, and client teams.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in Geophysics, Science, Engineering, or related quantitative field.
• Experience managing a team, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
• Experience managing production-scale projects and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong QC methodology and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience partnering closely with R&D teams.
• Strong technical presentation and client-facing communication skills.
• Proven record of technical publications in geophysics or related field.
• Global mindset; experience working across distributed, multicultural teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of technically strong practitioners; set team priorities and technical direction.
• Recruit high-potential new graduates and early-career talent; build training paths.
• Serve as the primary technology champion, evangelizing new capabilities across the global Imaging organization.
• Act as first line of technical support for production projects deploying new technologies.
• Manage stakeholder relationships across R&D, production, sales, and client-facing teams.
• Set goals, conduct performance reviews, and support career development for direct reports.
• Design and execute rigorous test plans for new R&D technologies on production-scale data.
• Identify, diagnose, and troubleshoot issues in new workflows before production.
• Translate research-stage tools into scalable, repeatable production workflows.
• Provide detailed technical feedback to researchers to guide iteration and refinement.
• Maintain deep familiarity with the current geophysical technology landscape and competitive positioning.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Production-scale projects

QC methodology

R&D collaboration

Technical presentations

Client-facing experience

Geophysics knowledge

Publications in geophysics

Global teams experience

Education

Ph.D. in Geophysics or related quantitative field

Job description

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions.

TGS 4C is a leading global market Research and Intelligence Company for Offshore Renewable Energy.

This role leads a highly technical team responsible for validating and operationalizing new imaging technologies developed by global R&D organization. The team bridges the gap between prototype research tools and production-scale deployment, ensuring new methods are rigorously tested, benchmarked, and production-ready before being handed off to global processing teams. This is a high-visibility role with direct influence on the technology roadmap for the Imaging organization worldwide.

• Test and validate new technologies developed by R&D teams globally, applying prototype tools to real, production-scale datasets
• Design and document robust workflows for newest technologies prior to production rollout
• Partner closely with R&D researchers and developers, providing rapid, structured feedback loops to accelerate technology maturation
• Generate technical marketing material and support high-technology sales bids and client-facing technical presentations
• Own the QC and benchmarking framework used to assess new technology readiness for production

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of technically strong practitioners; set team priorities and technical direction
• Recruit high-potential new graduates and early-career talent; build structured training paths to develop them into top-tier processors on emerging technologies
• Serve as the primary technology champion, evangelizing new capabilities across the global Imaging organization
• Act as first line of technical support for production projects deploying newly developed technologies
• Manage stakeholder relationships across R&D, production, sales, and client-facing teams
• Set goals, conduct performance reviews, and support career development for direct reports

Technical

• Design and execute rigorous test plans for new R&D technologies on production-scale data
• Identify, diagnose, and troubleshoot issues in new workflows before they reach production
• Translate research-stage tools into scalable, repeatable production workflows
• Provide detailed technical feedback to researchers to guide iteration and refinement
• Maintain deep familiarity with the current geophysical technology landscape and competitive positioning

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Geophysics, Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative field
• Experience managing a team, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management
• Experience managing production-scale projects and cross-functional initiatives
• Strong QC methodology and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated experience partnering closely with R&D teams
• Strong technical presentation and communication skills, including client- or sales-facing experience
• Proven record of technical publications in geophysics or a related field
• Global mindset; experience working across distributed, multicultural teams is a plus

At TGS | 4C, we believe diverse perspectives drive better outcomes. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and growth. Please submit your application by 09/30/2026.