OPT Geophysicist Jobs
Geophysicist roles on OPT require employers comfortable with F-1 work authorization, and most positions in oil and gas, environmental consulting, and federal agencies fall under STEM OPT, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Strong technical backgrounds in seismic interpretation or subsurface modeling make candidates competitive.
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Get Access To All JobsWe are looking for the right people — people who want to innovate, achieve, grow and lead. We attract and retain the best talent by investing in our employees and empowering them to develop themselves and their careers. Experience the challenges, rewards and opportunity of working for one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the global energy industry.
About Landmark
Landmark, a Halliburton business line, provides the industry’s most comprehensive suite of digital solutions for exploration, drilling, and production optimization. Its software and data platforms empower customers to model subsurface assets, manage drilling risk, and accelerate decision-making through cloud, AI, and advanced analytics.
About the Role
We are seeking an R&D geophysicist to develop advanced seismic imaging, inversion, and quantitative-interpretation technologies for reservoir characterization. The role will apply Python, machine learning, deep learning, and mathematical inversion methods to integrate seismic data with well logs, rock physics, petrophysics, sequence stratigraphy, and seismic facies information.
You will develop and validate workflows that transform seismic observations into high-resolution 3D estimates of reservoir properties such as porosity, shale volume, and fluid saturation, including associated uncertainty. Working with geoscientists, reservoir engineers, data scientists, software developers, product stakeholders, and technical customers, you will convert research concepts into tested prototypes and product-ready technical capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop elastic full-waveform inversion and acoustic or elastic seismic-inversion methods for shot-gather, post-stack, and pre-stack AVO/AVA applications.
- Design AI and deep-learning approaches that improve seismic imaging, inversion, seismic facies classification, and seismic-to-petrophysical property mapping.
- Integrate seismic volumes, well logs, core measurements, rock-physics relationships, and geologic interpretations to construct high-resolution 3D reservoir-property models.
- Develop Python-based research prototypes, algorithms, and reproducible technical workflows using appropriate scientific-computing and machine-learning frameworks.
- Quantify uncertainty in predicted rock properties and fluid saturations using statistical, probabilistic, ensemble, or AI-enabled inverse-problem methods.
- Distinguish and evaluate epistemic and aleatoric uncertainty, analyze model generalization, and identify limitations in training data and model assumptions.
- Validate seismic, reservoir, and machine-learning models using blind-well tests, held-out data, physical consistency checks, and comparison with known subsurface observations.
- Incorporate sequence-stratigraphic frameworks, seismic facies, geostatistical principles, and petrophysical constraints into reservoir-characterization workflows.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary R&D and product teams to define technical problems, prioritize experiments, assess feasibility, and translate successful research into usable software capabilities.
- Document methods, assumptions, experiments, results, model limitations, and recommendations, and communicate complex findings to technical and product stakeholders.
- Monitor advances in geophysics, AI, deep learning, and scientific computing, and contribute to technical publications, presentations, invention disclosures, and patents where appropriate.
Qualifications
Required
- Undergraduate degree in Science, Engineering, or a similar technical discipline.
- Minimum of four years of related experience in applied research, technology development, product development, engineering, scientific analysis, or a comparable technical field.
- Demonstrated experience applying scientific or engineering principles to seismic imaging, seismic inversion, quantitative interpretation, reservoir characterization, or a closely related technical problem.
- Proficiency in Python and experience developing scientific-computing, data-analysis, machine-learning, or deep-learning workflows.
- Experience designing technical investigations, experiments, model evaluations, or validation studies and interpreting the resulting data.
- Ability to document technical work, manage defined R&D deliverables, and communicate complex concepts and recommendations to multidisciplinary technical stakeholders.
Preferred
- Master’s degree or PhD in Geophysics, Rock Physics, Petroleum Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience with full-waveform inversion, pre-stack AVO/AVA inversion, post-stack inversion, quantitative interpretation, rock physics, or seismic reservoir characterization.
- Experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, or comparable AI and scientific-computing technologies.
- Experience with uncertainty quantification, probabilistic inversion, geostatistics, sequence stratigraphy, seismic facies classification, or 3D static reservoir modeling.
- Energy-industry R&D experience, cloud or high-performance computing exposure, and a record of technical publications, presentations, patents, or research-to-product delivery.
Candidates who possess qualifications exceeding the minimum job requirements may be considered for higher-level positions based on experience, additional qualifications, demonstrated capabilities, and current business needs. Depending on education, experience, and skill level, candidates may be eligible for roles ranging from Senior R&D Scientist/Engineer, Landmark Technology to Principal R&D Scientist/Engineer, Landmark Technology or Advisor R&D Scientist/Engineer, Landmark Technology.
World Class Benefits
At Halliburton, we’re committed to supporting you and your family with a comprehensive and affordable benefits package that covers your physical, emotional, financial, and parental needs — now and in the future. When you join our team, you’ll gain access to a wide range of programs designed to help you thrive at work and at home.
Click here to review a summary of the benefits available once you join.
Core Competencies
Seismic Inversion | Full-Waveform Inversion | Elastic FWI | Quantitative Interpretation | AVO/AVA | Rock Physics | Petrophysics | Reservoir Characterization | Subsurface Machine Learning | Deep Learning | Python | PyTorch | TensorFlow | Uncertainty Quantification | Seismic Facies Classification | Sequence Stratigraphy | Geostatistics | 3D Reservoir Modeling
Halliburton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/ orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.
Location
3000 N Sam Houston Pkwy E, Houston, Texas, 77032, United States
Job Details
Requisition Number: 211399
Experience Level: Experienced Hire
Job Family: Engineering/Science/Technology
Product Service Line: Landmark Software & Services
Full Time / Part Time: Full-time
Additional Locations for this position:
Compensation Information
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.
We are looking for the right people — people who want to innovate, achieve, grow and lead. We attract and retain the best talent by investing in our employees and empowering them to develop themselves and their careers. Experience the challenges, rewards and opportunity of working for one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the global energy industry.
About Landmark
Landmark, a Halliburton business line, provides the industry’s most comprehensive suite of digital solutions for exploration, drilling, and production optimization. Its software and data platforms empower customers to model subsurface assets, manage drilling risk, and accelerate decision-making through cloud, AI, and advanced analytics.
About the Role
We are seeking an R&D geophysicist to develop advanced seismic imaging, inversion, and quantitative-interpretation technologies for reservoir characterization. The role will apply Python, machine learning, deep learning, and mathematical inversion methods to integrate seismic data with well logs, rock physics, petrophysics, sequence stratigraphy, and seismic facies information.
You will develop and validate workflows that transform seismic observations into high-resolution 3D estimates of reservoir properties such as porosity, shale volume, and fluid saturation, including associated uncertainty. Working with geoscientists, reservoir engineers, data scientists, software developers, product stakeholders, and technical customers, you will convert research concepts into tested prototypes and product-ready technical capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop elastic full-waveform inversion and acoustic or elastic seismic-inversion methods for shot-gather, post-stack, and pre-stack AVO/AVA applications.
- Design AI and deep-learning approaches that improve seismic imaging, inversion, seismic facies classification, and seismic-to-petrophysical property mapping.
- Integrate seismic volumes, well logs, core measurements, rock-physics relationships, and geologic interpretations to construct high-resolution 3D reservoir-property models.
- Develop Python-based research prototypes, algorithms, and reproducible technical workflows using appropriate scientific-computing and machine-learning frameworks.
- Quantify uncertainty in predicted rock properties and fluid saturations using statistical, probabilistic, ensemble, or AI-enabled inverse-problem methods.
- Distinguish and evaluate epistemic and aleatoric uncertainty, analyze model generalization, and identify limitations in training data and model assumptions.
- Validate seismic, reservoir, and machine-learning models using blind-well tests, held-out data, physical consistency checks, and comparison with known subsurface observations.
- Incorporate sequence-stratigraphic frameworks, seismic facies, geostatistical principles, and petrophysical constraints into reservoir-characterization workflows.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary R&D and product teams to define technical problems, prioritize experiments, assess feasibility, and translate successful research into usable software capabilities.
- Document methods, assumptions, experiments, results, model limitations, and recommendations, and communicate complex findings to technical and product stakeholders.
- Monitor advances in geophysics, AI, deep learning, and scientific computing, and contribute to technical publications, presentations, invention disclosures, and patents where appropriate.
Qualifications
Required
- Undergraduate degree in Science, Engineering, or a similar technical discipline.
- Minimum of four years of related experience in applied research, technology development, product development, engineering, scientific analysis, or a comparable technical field.
- Demonstrated experience applying scientific or engineering principles to seismic imaging, seismic inversion, quantitative interpretation, reservoir characterization, or a closely related technical problem.
- Proficiency in Python and experience developing scientific-computing, data-analysis, machine-learning, or deep-learning workflows.
- Experience designing technical investigations, experiments, model evaluations, or validation studies and interpreting the resulting data.
- Ability to document technical work, manage defined R&D deliverables, and communicate complex concepts and recommendations to multidisciplinary technical stakeholders.
Preferred
- Master’s degree or PhD in Geophysics, Rock Physics, Petroleum Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience with full-waveform inversion, pre-stack AVO/AVA inversion, post-stack inversion, quantitative interpretation, rock physics, or seismic reservoir characterization.
- Experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, or comparable AI and scientific-computing technologies.
- Experience with uncertainty quantification, probabilistic inversion, geostatistics, sequence stratigraphy, seismic facies classification, or 3D static reservoir modeling.
- Energy-industry R&D experience, cloud or high-performance computing exposure, and a record of technical publications, presentations, patents, or research-to-product delivery.
Candidates who possess qualifications exceeding the minimum job requirements may be considered for higher-level positions based on experience, additional qualifications, demonstrated capabilities, and current business needs. Depending on education, experience, and skill level, candidates may be eligible for roles ranging from Senior R&D Scientist/Engineer, Landmark Technology to Principal R&D Scientist/Engineer, Landmark Technology or Advisor R&D Scientist/Engineer, Landmark Technology.
World Class Benefits
At Halliburton, we’re committed to supporting you and your family with a comprehensive and affordable benefits package that covers your physical, emotional, financial, and parental needs — now and in the future. When you join our team, you’ll gain access to a wide range of programs designed to help you thrive at work and at home.
Click here to review a summary of the benefits available once you join.
Core Competencies
Seismic Inversion | Full-Waveform Inversion | Elastic FWI | Quantitative Interpretation | AVO/AVA | Rock Physics | Petrophysics | Reservoir Characterization | Subsurface Machine Learning | Deep Learning | Python | PyTorch | TensorFlow | Uncertainty Quantification | Seismic Facies Classification | Sequence Stratigraphy | Geostatistics | 3D Reservoir Modeling
Halliburton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/ orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.
Location
3000 N Sam Houston Pkwy E, Houston, Texas, 77032, United States
Job Details
Requisition Number: 211399
Experience Level: Experienced Hire
Job Family: Engineering/Science/Technology
Product Service Line: Landmark Software & Services
Full Time / Part Time: Full-time
Additional Locations for this position:
Compensation Information
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.
See all OPT Geophysicist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Geophysicist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Geophysicist
Target STEM OPT-eligible employers early
Geophysicist roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Prioritize employers who have sponsored STEM OPT before, as they understand E-Verify requirements and won't be surprised by your authorization timeline.
Lead with your technical specialization
Hiring managers in geoscience care more about your seismic processing software, reservoir modeling tools, or geophysical survey experience than your visa status. Make your technical skills the first thing they see so authorization becomes secondary.
Focus on oil and gas, mining, and environmental firms
These industries hire geophysicists consistently and have established OPT and H-1B visa pipelines. Large operators like E&P companies and environmental consultancies have in-house HR processes already built around sponsoring international candidates.
Address OPT proactively in your application
State clearly in your cover letter that you have OPT work authorization and are eligible for STEM extension. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often reject candidates due to confusion, not unwillingness. Clarity upfront prevents early screening-out.
Pursue federal contractor and government-adjacent roles carefully
Some federal geophysicist positions require security clearance or U.S. citizenship, which OPT students cannot obtain. Verify citizenship requirements before applying to avoid wasted effort. Private contractors and consulting firms are generally more accessible.
Network through professional geoscience associations
Connecting through the Society of Exploration Geophysicists or the American Geosciences Institute puts you in front of hiring managers at companies actively recruiting. Many geophysics roles are filled through referrals before they reach public job boards.
Geophysicist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Geophysicist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Geophysicist positions consistently qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because geophysics falls under CIP code 40.0603, which is on the official STEM Designated Degree Program list. Your degree must be in geophysics, geoscience, applied physics, or a closely related field. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor the extension.
How do I find Geophysicist employers who are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, so you can search Geophysicist roles without wasting time on postings that exclude F-1 candidates. Beyond that, large energy companies, environmental consulting firms, and geotechnical contractors tend to have the most established OPT and H-1B pipelines in this field.
Can I work as a Geophysicist for a federal agency on OPT?
It depends on the agency and role. Many federal geophysicist positions with the USGS, EPA, or DOE are open to non-citizens, but some require U.S. citizenship or security clearance eligibility. Always check the specific job posting for citizenship requirements before applying. Federal contractor roles at private firms supporting government projects are generally more accessible to OPT students.
What happens to my OPT if my Geophysicist employer goes through a layoff?
If you're laid off during your OPT period, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer to a new visa status, or prepare to leave the U.S. During this window, you can begin interviewing and accepting a new Geophysicist role without penalty, as long as the new job aligns with your degree field and you report the change to your DSO.
Do Geophysicist internships count toward OPT work authorization requirements?
Yes, but only if the internship is directly related to your geoscience or physics degree. OPT requires that all employment be in a role directly tied to your major field of study. A geophysics internship involving seismic data analysis, subsurface mapping, or geophysical surveying clearly qualifies. Unrelated internships, even at the same company, do not count and could jeopardize your OPT status.