Lead Exploration Geophysicist

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Exploration Geophysicist for our client in Polokwane, Limpopo. This senior role focuses on maturing new exploration prospects through advanced geophysical analysis, seismic processing, and interpretation within the Oil & Gas sector.

You will lead seismic teams, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with geologists and engineers to shape regional exploration strategies and drive discoveries in South Africa’s energy landscape.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Geophysics or related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of exploration geophysics experience in Oil & Gas.
• Experience with seismic data processing workflows and interpretation software (e.g., Petrel, Kingdom Suite, OpendTect).
• Strong background in structural geology, seismic attributes analysis, and inversion techniques.
• Proven track record of contributing to successful exploration discoveries.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities and experience mentoring technical staff.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying complex technical information clearly.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Lead seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation for exploration projects.
• Develop subsurface models integrating seismic, well, and geological data.
• Identify leads and evaluate exploration prospects, assessing geological and geophysical risks.
• Utilize advanced geophysical software and techniques for data analysis and interpretation.
• Collaborate with exploration geologists, reservoir engineers, and management to define exploration strategies.
• Prepare detailed geophysical reports and present findings to technical and management teams.
• Mentor and guide junior geophysicists, fostering their technical growth and development.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices in exploration geophysics.
• Contribute to the company's exploration portfolio management and business development.
• Ensure data quality control and management for all geophysical datasets.

Skills

Seismic processing

Seismic interpretation

Leadership

Mentoring

Teamwork

Communication

Geophysics knowledge

Education

Geophysics MSc

Geophysics PhD

Tools

Petrel

Kingdom Suite

OpendTect

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent exploration and production company within the Oil & Gas industry, is actively seeking a highly experienced Lead Exploration Geophysicist to strengthen their team in Polokwane, Limpopo . This senior role is central to identifying and maturing new exploration prospects through advanced geophysical analysis. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of seismic data processing, interpretation, and integration with geological models. You will lead geophysical efforts, mentor junior geophysicists, and contribute significantly to the company's exploration strategy in the region. This is a unique opportunity to shape exploration initiatives and drive discoveries in a challenging yet rewarding sector of the South African energy market . A passion for uncovering subsurface potential and a commitment to technical excellence are essential for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation for exploration projects.
• Develop and refine subsurface models integrating seismic, well, and geological data.
• Identify and evaluate exploration leads and prospects, assessing geological and geophysical risks.
• Utilize advanced geophysical software and techniques for data analysis and interpretation.
• Collaborate closely with exploration geologists, reservoir engineers, and management to define exploration strategies.
• Prepare detailed geophysical reports and present findings to technical and management teams.
• Mentor and guide junior geophysicists, fostering their technical growth and development.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices in exploration geophysics.
• Contribute to the company's exploration portfolio management and business development.
• Ensure data quality control and management for all geophysical datasets.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Geophysics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in exploration geophysics within the Oil & Gas industry.
• Extensive experience with seismic data processing workflows and interpretation software (e.g., Petrel, Kingdom Suite, OpendTect).
• Strong background in structural geology, seismic attributes analysis, and inversion techniques.
• Proven track record of contributing to successful exploration discoveries.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities and experience mentoring technical staff.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying complex technical information clearly.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Full-time commitment required in Polokwane, Limpopo .

Benefits

Our client offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits such as health insurance and retirement savings plans. Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and attending industry conferences are readily available. You will be joining a reputable organization with a strong commitment to innovation and safety within the global Oil & Gas sector . This role offers a significant career opportunity in the dynamic field of exploration geophysics, based in Polokwane .