Lead Exploration Geophysicist

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Career advancement

Conference attendance

Equity participation

Job summary

Placements24 invites a Lead Exploration Geophysicist to spearhead geophysical investigations for mineral exploration near Randburg, Gauteng. You will plan, execute, and interpret seismic, magnetic, gravity, and EM surveys, while mentoring a team of geophysicists and collaborating with geology and geochemistry teams.

You will drive strategy, oversee contractors, present findings to management, and stay at the forefront of geophysical techniques to enhance discovery potential.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Geophysics or related field.
• Minimum 8 years in mineral exploration geophysics with proven targeting.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, acquisition, and processing of geophysical data for exploration projects.
• Develop exploration strategies and select survey methodologies based on targets.
• Perform processing, interpretation, and inversion of geophysical data.
• Integrate geophysical data with geological datasets to refine targets.
• Mentor and guide junior geophysicists and geological teams.
• Prepare comprehensive geophysical reports for management and stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of new geophysical technologies and assess applicability.
• Contribute to overall exploration strategy and company success.

Skills

Geophysics data processing

Leadership

Mentoring juniors

Technical report writing

Stakeholder presentation

Education

Master's or PhD in Geophysics

Tools

Geosoft Oasis Montaj

MAGPIE

EMIGMA

Velox

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and growing exploration company, is seeking an accomplished Lead Exploration Geophysicist to join their team near Randburg, Gauteng, ZA. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to lead geophysical investigations for mineral exploration projects, from conceptual targeting to advanced data interpretation. You will be responsible for the planning, execution, and integration of various geophysical surveys, including seismic, magnetic, gravity, and electromagnetic methods. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in geophysical data processing, modeling, and inversion, with a strong understanding of how geophysics contributes to successful resource discovery. This is a chance to shape the exploration strategy and mentor a team of geophysicists.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, acquisition, and processing of geophysical data for exploration projects.
• Develop geophysical exploration strategies and select appropriate survey methodologies based on geological targets.
• Perform advanced processing, interpretation, and inversion of geophysical data (gravity, magnetics, electromagnetics, seismic, etc.).
• Integrate geophysical data with geological, geochemical, and other datasets to generate and refine exploration targets.
• Utilize geophysical modeling software (e.g., Geosoft Oasis Montaj, Maxwell) to interpret subsurface structures and lithology.
• Oversee geophysical contractors and ensure data quality standards are met.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior geophysicists and geological teams.
• Prepare comprehensive geophysical reports and presentations for management and stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of new geophysical technologies and methodologies and assess their applicability to exploration programs.
• Contribute to the overall exploration strategy and success of the company.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or PhD in Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in mineral exploration geophysics, with a proven track record of successful targeting.
• Expertise in processing and interpreting multiple geophysical datasets (gravity, magnetics, EM, seismic, IP).
• Proficiency with industry-standard geophysical software packages (e.g., Geosoft Oasis Montaj, MAGPIE, EMIGMA, Velox).
• Strong understanding of geological controls on geophysical responses and structural geology.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Proven leadership capabilities and experience mentoring junior staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• Willingness to travel to project sites for operational oversight and collaboration.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, retirement, and life insurance.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership.
• Exposure to a wide range of geological settings and commodity types.
• Support for professional development and conference attendance.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment with leading experts.
• Potential for stock options or equity participation.