Introducing Edinburgh-based Innes Hamilton, who joined Beam in 2023 as an onshore geophysicist. During her time at Beam, she has become an asset to Beam’s survey team, supporting with marine site characterisation and the interpretation of geophysical data.
Can you tell us a bit about what your role as an onshore geophysicist involves?
I work within the survey team at Beam, which manages site characterisation for offshore wind farms. As part of this, I process the offshore geophysical data that comes from survey vessels and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). This usually involves analysing information that has been captured through different techniques such as side-scan sonar, magnetometry, or from various types of seismic datasets.
We interpret the data to see if there are any geohazards like boulder fields or shallow gas in range of potential wind farm sites, or look at how far a certain type of sediment or geological unit extends across the site. We then incorporate this with environmental and geotechnical information to create a fuller picture of what is present in a survey area.
Can you tell us about your career and educational background?
I did a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in geology at the University of St Andrews, which was followed by a year working in environmental remediation in Glasgow. I then decided to study for a master’s degree in geophysics which, after completing, led me to three years working in near-surface, land-based geophysics, mainly for infrastructure with a bit of geothermal energy.
I have also spent time in unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk management, which primarily involved looking at magnetometry surveys, both on land and on the marine side. That role offered a fantastic introduction into the marine sector, which eventually led to my role at Beam.
What attracted you to come to work at Beam?
I always wanted to work in renewables and wanted to take my career in that direction. Beam is also a very people-focused company, we like to do a lot of social events, so it is nice to be able to interact with everyone socially as well as professionally. I also have flexibility if I want to work from home or work from the office.
Specifically to my role, I enjoy working with a range of datasets, rather than just one thing all the time, it means there is plenty of variety in my work.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I would say, maybe it’s an obvious answer, but working to facilitate green energy. Being able to play a part in that is a highlight. My work is a nice mix of technical elements, and more geological and creative elements. And of course, the people in the geo team are very nice, friendly, and helpful.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in working in geology or geophysics?
I think the right educational background goes a long way, and I think you should choose a university course that you think you’ll enjoy doing. But that’s not the only thing that led me to where I am.
I think if you have a love of the outdoors, are a very practical person and have a scientific mindset, geology and geophysics are great spaces to work in. I think you should also have the want to make the world a better place, to understand our environment and work to protect it.
How do you think the marine survey sector will change in the next 5-10 years?
One thing that Beam is trying to do is to increase the presence of automation in the sector. We as geophysicists handle a lot of data that, once inspected for certain parameters, are put through a lot of similar processing steps and sequences. Many of these tasks could be done with a computer.
So, I think in the next 5-10 years, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and automation will have a bigger presence in the industry and will be used for a lot of the more mundane tasks that humans currently take care of.
Juan S
Infrastructure Engineer
Juan’s work underpins the digital backbone of our technology, enabling the automation that drives efficiency and reduces risk across offshore wind operations.
Ellie H
Front End Software Engineer
Ellie, one of our Front End Software Engineers, who ensures our technology delivers seamless user experiences; supporting offshore teams and pushing the boundaries of autonomous systems.
Sean R
Geophysicist
With a background in geology and marine geoscience research, Sean was drawn to Beam for its innovative approach—particularly its integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in geophysical interpretation. AI is set to revolutionize the field by streamlining data analysis, allowing geophysicists to oversee AI-driven interpretations across multiple datasets.
