Good demand for geophysicists in private sector
Opportunities are good for geophysicists working for geotechnical, environmental and engineering companies, especially in areas such as:
- groundwater exploration, because as droughts increase demand is growing for geophysicists to locate new water sources
- infrastructure development, because the Government is focusing on this and needs advice on whether sites are suitable for large constructions such as bridges.
According to the Census, 288 geophysicists worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Limited opportunities for researchers in oceanography and basin analysis
Opportunities for geophysicists specialising in research, such as oceanography or basin analysis (finding the best locations for oil and gas exploration), are limited because:
- these are small fields of research in New Zealand
- turnover is low, so competition is high for the few vacancies that arise
- government funding is low for oceanography and declining for basin analysis.
Technical skills increase your chances of getting geophysics work
Geophysics is becoming increasingly computer-based. You can improve your chances of finding work if you have skills and experience in:
- computer coding
- computational analysis (analysing mathematical models using computer code)
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Crown research institutes main employers of geophysicists
Most geologists work for Crown research institutes such as:
- GNS Science, the largest employer of geophysicists
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research.
Geophysicists may also work for:
- universities, as teachers and lecturers
- consultancies and private companies, including engineering firms and mining and drilling companies
- ministries and government departments, such as New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals, as policy developers and advisers
- local authorities such as regional and city councils
- state-owned enterprises such as MetService or Meridian.
