Geologist / Petrophysicist

Description

INTERA is seeking a Geologist / Hydrogeologist / Geophysicist for our Austin office to support groundwater, water supply, environmental, and subsurface characterization projects throughout Texas and the western United States. This is a primarily desktop-based role centered on data interpretation, modeling, analysis, and technical reporting rather than field work. The role suits an early- to mid-career professional with 2–5 years of applied experience in geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, petrophysics, geological or petroleum engineering, environmental consulting, or a related subsurface discipline who wants to broaden their technical expertise alongside experienced practitioners in these fields.

Key Responsibilities

Subsurface Characterization and Interpretation

• Interpret borehole geophysical logs (gamma ray, spontaneous potential, resistivity, density, neutron, sonic, acoustic, and caliper) and petrophysical datasets to evaluate lithology, porosity, permeability, fracture occurrence, aquifer and production-zone properties, water-quality indicators, and subsurface heterogeneity.
• Develop and calibrate petrophysical models from borehole geophysical log data for geologic property characterization, groundwater quality estimations, and environmental investigations.
• Interpret geologic, hydrostratigraphic, and structural relationships from borehole logs, geologic maps, and geophysical data; characterize alluvial, sedimentary, carbonate, fractured-rock, and mixed aquifer systems; and identify hydrostratigraphic units, aquifer boundaries, and groundwater-quality trends.
• Develop cross sections, hydrostratigraphic frameworks, fence diagrams, and conceptual site and digital subsurface models, integrating borehole logs, core and laboratory analyses, drilling data, geophysical surveys, and aquifer testing and monitoring results into defensible interpretations and recommendations.
• Support well siting, well design, and aquifer characterization through geologic, geophysical, and petrophysical analysis.

Groundwater Studies and Numerical Modeling

• Support groundwater resource evaluations, water supply development studies, and aquifer characterization projects.
• Compile and interpret groundwater level, pumping, aquifer test, recharge, and water-quality datasets to assess aquifer properties, groundwater availability, well performance, and sustainability.
• Support development of hydrogeologic conceptual models used for water resource planning, groundwater management, and environmental investigations.
• Support the groundwater modeling team with the development, calibration, and interpretation of groundwater flow, contaminant transport, subsidence, and subsurface process models using finite difference, finite element, or related numerical techniques.
• Assist with sensitivity analyses, history matching, uncertainty evaluations, and predictive simulations, and prepare summaries that communicate model assumptions, results, and limitations.

Data Analysis, GIS, and Workflows

• Manage, analyze, and visualize subsurface and water-quality datasets, applying quantitative, statistical, and machine-learning methods to evaluate trends and support predictive modeling.
• Develop maps, cross sections, dashboards, and figures to communicate project findings, using GIS software for spatial analysis and data management.
• Develop automated, reproducible workflows for interpretation, visualization, and analysis using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.

Reporting and Communication

• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, figures, and presentations, and clearly communicate findings to project teams, clients, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Support proposals, work plans, cost estimates, and deliverables, and participate in technical reviews and quality assurance/quality control.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, Geological Engineering, Geophysics, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• 2–5 years of professional or graduate-level experience in hydrogeology, geology, groundwater investigations, geophysical interpretation, environmental consulting, or subsurface characterization.
• Experience evaluating and interpreting complex subsurface and water-quality datasets, including borehole geophysical logs and petrophysical interpretation, to characterize subsurface systems and support technical decision-making.
• Understanding of hydrogeologic principles including groundwater flow, aquifer characterization, recharge, aquifer testing, and water supply development, and experience developing cross sections, hydrostratigraphic frameworks, and conceptual site models.
• Working knowledge of subsurface-based geophysical investigation and interpretation methods, including borehole logging and 2D/3D seismic.
• Experience using Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific computing tools, and ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS, for data analysis, visualization, automation, modeling, and spatial analysis.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, technical writing, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Geologist (PG) license, or ability to obtain licensure within a reasonable timeframe.
• Master's degree or PhD in Geology, Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Geological Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience supporting groundwater supply development, well siting, aquifer storage and recovery (ASR), groundwater management, or water resource planning projects.
• Experience interpreting borehole geophysical logs, applying petrophysical methods, and integrating subsurface, groundwater chemistry, and water-quality datasets into conceptual site models.
• Familiarity with groundwater flow modeling and MODFLOW-based models, numerical simulation, porous-media flow, or reservoir characterization.
• Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, or similar languages, and with PETRA, Leapfrog, ArcGIS Pro, Techlog, Interactive Petrophysics (IP), Petrel, or similar interpretation and modeling software.
• Experience interpreting laboratory, core analysis, and petrophysical measurement data, and supporting environmental remediation, energy, geothermal, mining, carbon management, subsurface storage, or water-resource development projects, including proposal preparation and client interaction.