Principal Geologist

About Venterra:

Venterra is a global wind energy services company, engineering, building and supporting major wind and renewables projects around the world. Our clear purpose: accelerate the global energy transition by becoming the go-to services provider and strategic partner for the rapidly expanding wind industry.

Our diverse team of experts is dedicated to making net zero reality. We offer specialised services across the entire project lifecycle, including:

• Geoscience consultancy
• Environmental expertise
• Design services
• Project advisory
• Survey capabilities
• Construction support & back-deck mission equipment

By acquiring and bringing together leading offshore engineering and marine science companies we provide the most comprehensive services and expertise in the market. And we're not done growing yet, which means there are plenty of exciting career opportunities on offer for our team.

At Venterra, sustainability, safety, and quality are prioritised in everything we do, reducing project risk, time, and cost for our clients.

Why join Venterra?

1. Shape the future of energy: Dive into groundbreaking renewables projects that are literally changing the world.
2. Master the renewables landscape: Gain unique, full-spectrum experience from initial surveys to final construction.
3. Go global, make waves: Our worldwide projects aren't just pins on a map – they're tickets to diverse experiences, cultures and challenges, with plenty of international travel opportunities on offer.
4. Accelerate your career: We don't just talk about growth – we fuel it. Access cutting-edge training, mentorship from industry leaders, and a clear development path with opportunities to sharpen your skills in the renewables space.
5. Be a force for good: Join a team where your values align with your work. We're committed to cultivating a culture of equality, diversity, and positive impact through our work.

By joining us, you'll play a direct role in growing the renewables sector while building a career in an exciting, global industry.

Our Geoscience team:

Venterra’s Geoscience team is made up of market-leading experts from Ordtek, GDG, and Partrac. We offer unparalleled site characterisation, geoscience management, sediment processes, UXO management, and GIS and data services, tailored to meet the comprehensive needs of our clients.

Role Description:

As Venterra continues to expand, we are on the lookout for an offshore Principal Geologist or Geoscientist to join our Geology & Geophysics team, part of the Site Characterisation Department, within Venterra Geoscience.

In this exciting role, you will lead and oversee ground model projects for Offshore Wind Developments, and supervise and grow a team of geoscientists, geologists and geophysicists. It is expected that you will work very closely with the Head of Geology & Geophysics to steer the direction of the team.

This role is designed for a technical expert who will be responsible for overseeing complex site investigations, geophysical and geotechnical assessments, and ground modelling to ensure the design and development of robust, safe, and sustainable offshore wind farms. Your expertise will directly influence the success of our projects by identifying geological and geotechnical challenges, providing mitigation strategies, and driving innovation in ground modelling.

We are ideally seeking someone who lives a commutable distance from either our Hethel (Norwich), South West London or Newcastle-Upon-Tyne office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Collaboration & Project Scoping: Liaise with clients to understand their project needs and objectives. Tailor geoscientific studies to align with specific offshore wind project requirements, ensuring all technical aspects meet regulatory standards and client expectations.
• Geoscientific Site Investigations: Contribute to the planning and execution of offshore surveys, using advanced geophysical techniques (e.g., bathymetry, sub-bottom profiling, seismic surveys) to characterise potential wind farm locations.
• Ground Modelling & Geotechnical Integration: Conduct comprehensive geological, geophysical and geotechnical integration to lead the creation of accurate ground models that reflect subsurface conditions, including soil stratigraphy, sediment layers, and potential geohazards. Your work will inform critical decisions on foundation design and risk mitigation.
• Geohazard Assessment & Risk Mitigation: Lead and assist in the training of the team in the identification and assessment of geohazards such as seismic activity, shallow gas pockets, submarine landslides, and other subsurface potential geohazards. Provide expert recommendations to ensure the safety, stability, and long-term performance of wind farm infrastructure.
• Foundation & Installation Design Support: Offer expert guidance on site conditions to the geotechnical design team and external stakeholders, for optimal foundation designs, installation methodologies, and strategies for overcoming geotechnical challenges.
• Feasibility Studies & Site Suitability: Lead detailed feasibility studies to assess the viability of proposed wind farm sites. Evaluate geological and geotechnical constraints to determine the suitability of each site for wind energy development.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Provide geoscientific advice on project teams, working closely with engineers, metocean and environmental consultants, and other specialists to ensure the seamless integration of ground model outputs into the overall design and construction processes. Your leadership will be crucial in coordinating interdisciplinary efforts.
• Technological Innovation & Industry Awareness: Stay at the forefront of technological advancements in geoscience, geophysics, and offshore wind energy. Continuously improve ground modelling methodologies and incorporate the latest industry trends, tools, and regulatory standards into your work.
• Client Communication & Reporting: Lead and present clear, concise technical reports and presentations that communicate complex geoscientific data and analysis to clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. Ensure your findings are accessible and actionable, enabling informed decision-making for all parties involved.
• Tendering support: Support the tendering team with review and guidance on technical proposals.
• Mentoring & Team Leadership: Provide mentorship and guidance to junior geoscientists, fostering an environment of growth and collaboration. Share your knowledge, enhance the team’s technical capabilities, and contribute to the continuous improvement of internal practices.

Within Geoscience, we are a very collaborative team and understand that everyone has different abilities. Therefore, as this is not an exhaustive list, and at times there will be a need to work beyond key responsibilities, each person’s capabilities and circumstances will be considered.

Expertise Required:

• We are seeking a candidate with prior experience working as an offshore marine geologist or geophysicist, a technical background in engineering geology or geophysics, and preferably over ten years of relevant site characterisation experience. The ideal candidate shall have:
• Extensive experience in offshore wind geoscience, geology, geophysics, or a related field, with a strong background in site investigations and advanced ground modelling constrained by geotechnical information, for offshore infrastructure projects.
• Expertise in the interpretation and integration of geophysical data (bathymetry, seismic surveys, sub-bottom profiling) into geotechnical analyses for offshore wind site characterisation.
• Proven track record in managing and leading multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating strong project management and client engagement skills.
• Proficiency in industry-standard ground modelling and geotechnical software, with the ability to leverage technology to deliver innovative solutions.
• Deep understanding of geohazard assessment techniques and the ability to develop mitigation strategies for complex offshore environments.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience in delivering technical reports, ground modelling studies, and presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Hold a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Geology, Geophysics, or a related discipline.
• A passion for renewable energy and a commitment to advancing the sustainable development of offshore wind.
• Being a Chartered Member of The Geological Society of London is a plus.
• Basic understanding of offshore foundations design methods
• Experience with a programming language

Additional Requirements:

• Candidates should also be highly organised and motivated individuals with effective communication skills, a good work ethic, and a commitment to technical excellence, personal efficiency, and career progression through Continued Professional Development.
• Willing and able to travel as required.

At Venterra:

At Venterra, we are committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We take inclusion and diversity seriously. We know that getting this right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values. We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. We are an equal opportunity employer. Our vision is for Venterra to be a place where people of all ethnicities feel welcomed to work.