What does a research geologist do?
Research geologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research geologist resumes:
- Foster cross laboratory collaboration between physics labs and between engineering, biology, and chemistry departments to accomplish share goals.
- Synthesize and characterize colloidal room-temperature ferromagnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.
- Conduct research by administering quantitative and qualitative surveys to low income fathers and entering and analyzing the data using SPSS
Research geologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 40% of Research Geologists are proficient in GIS, Geological Survey, and R. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Outdoor skills, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Research Geologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GIS, 40%
Performed forensic analysis of chemical contaminants in fish tissues using multivariate statistical methods and GIS to discern primary regional contaminant sources.
- Geological Survey, 18%
United States Geological Survey (Reston, VA), Open-File Report 83-658, 1983.
- R, 15%
Conducted high dimensional data visualization and multivariate statistical analysis using R and SAS.
- Geological Data, 12%
Gathered, analyze, and interpreted geological data to formulate development and exploration projects and typically handle several projects simultaneously.
- Research Projects, 8%
Developed ideas for both individual and collaborative research projects; authored and submitted corresponding grant applications to provide funding for research.
- Sedimentology, 8%
Developed and/or led short courses and seminars on eolian sedimentology, the characterization of heterogeneous reservoirs and reservoir management.
Common skills that a research geologist uses to do their job include "gis," "geological survey," and "r." You can find details on the most important research geologist responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a research geologist to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "geoscientists must be able to present their research findings clearly to a variety of audiences, including both scientists and those who do not have a background in geoscience." Research geologists often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "programmed labview interface to enable communication between equipment for data acquisition adapted an induction furnace to fabricate cu covetic bulk samples"
Outdoor skills. Many research geologist duties rely on outdoor skills. "geoscientists may spend significant time outdoors performing fieldwork," so a research geologist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research geologist responsibilities rely on outdoor skills: "coded bash and python scripts to execute programs in devices for conducting tests in indoor and outdoor environment. "
Physical stamina. research geologists are also known for physical stamina, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to research geologist responsibilities, because "geoscientists need to be physically fit because they may need to hike, sometimes to remote locations, while carrying equipment for fieldwork." A research geologist resume example shows how physical stamina is used in the workplace: "restored samples under the usgs national geological and geophysical data preservation procreant grant. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain research geologist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a research geologist rely on this skill, as "geoscientists must be able to analyze statistical data and other information in order to address problems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what research geologists do: "modify the fourier transform infrared spectrometer (ftir) to measure a high resolution photocurrent spectrum from a device. "
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Research geologist vs. Geology internship
In a geology internship, an intern has the opportunity to gain insights and practical experience while performing various support tasks under the directives and supervision of a geologist or manager. Their duties typically include working on different projects, conducting research, doing fieldwork, gathering and analyzing samples, collecting photographs or videos as evidence, completing surveys and assessments, and producing reports, submitting them according to protocols and standards. Additionally, they also have clerical duties, such as handling calls and other forms of correspondence, preparing and processing paperwork, and running errands when necessary.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a research geologist are more likely to require skills like "r," "research projects," "x ray diffraction," and "technical reports." On the other hand, a job as a geology internship requires skills like "database management," "gps," "arcgis," and "geotechnical." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, geology interns reach lower levels of education than research geologists. Geology interns are 13.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 8.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research geologist vs. Geophysicist
A Geophysicist studies the Earth's physical properties. They also examine the effects of the atmosphere on radio and satellite communications.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real research geologist resumes. While research geologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "geological survey," "geological data," "research projects," and "sedimentology," geophysicists use skills like "data collection," "geophysical data," "c++," and "matlab."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Geophysicists tend to reach similar levels of education than research geologists. In fact, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 8.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research geologist vs. Geoscientist
A geoscientist specializes in studying geosciences and performing research and analysis. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around crafting research plans, conducting field mapping and studies to examine geological structures, gathering samples, obtaining photographic evidence, and conducting different experiments and scientific studies. As a geoscientist, it is essential to maintain an extensive record of data, summarize results in reports and presentations, and collaborate with different scientists. They may publish their studies in various publications, utilize them for other projects and programs, or raise public awareness.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a research geologist is likely to be skilled in "geological survey," "r," "geological data," and "research projects," while a typical geoscientist is skilled in "seismic data," "oil gas," "data collection," and "petrel."
When it comes to education, geoscientists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to research geologists. In fact, they're 2.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research geologist vs. Postdoctoral research associate
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Types of research geologist
Updated January 8, 2025











