Astronomy: Now What?

Check out the American Astronomical Society and the American Institute of Physics for more information on careers in astronomy. 

Quick Facts: Astronomers

Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook

  • 2024 Median Pay: $166,290 per year
  • Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree
  • Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
  • On-the-job Training: None
  • Number of Jobs, 2022: 23,500
  • Job Outlook, 2023-33: 7% (Faster than average)
  • Employment Change, 2023-33: 1,700

[Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook]

A Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, or a related field is needed for most jobs, especially those in basic research or in independent research in industry. A typical Ph.D. program takes about five to seven years to complete. After receiving a Ph.D. in physics or astronomy, many begin their careers in a temporary postdoctoral research position, which typically lasts 2 to 3 years. 

Selection of post-graduation employment for recent UMass Amherst Astronomy alumni:

  • Lab Technician at Spectra Solutions
  • Curatorial Assistant at Harvard College Observatory
  • Post-bacc Researcher at the University of Kansas
  • Math/Science teacher at various K-12 schools
  • Research Engineering Mechanical Technician at MMT Observatory
  • Accountant at Walker Inc
  • Fulbright Fellow at Cosmic Dawn Center
  • Physics Departmental Assistant at University of Massachusetts Amherst

 

Previous Internship Sites as self-reported by UMass Amherst Astronomy students:

To see where other Astronomy students have completed internships, research projects, and career-related jobs, check out the Student Experiential Learning Database.  On the right, click on Departments, then check off Astronomy to filter the results to Astronomy majors.

 

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WITH AN ASTRONOMY BACHELORS DEGREE?

  • Continue to an Advanced Degree in Astronomy: The UMass Amherst Astronomy department offers an extensive program in astrophysics to prepare students who want to become professional astronomers. This includes a thorough background in physics, and advanced courses in astronomical observations and astrophysical theory.
  • Entry Level Careers in the Space Sciences: Astronomy majors may go directly into positions at research centers and industry, after strong technical preparation in research, computing, and laboratory skills.  These positions may include Technician or Research Assistant in fields of astronomy, engineering, and computer science or support personnel at observatories.
  • Science Teaching and Education: Astronomy incorporates elements of all the sciences, providing an excellent basis for science education, science writing, and work at museums and planetariums.
  • Careers in Tech: According to the American Astronomical Society, “Careers in technology -  especially in data science and software engineering - have been increasingly common outcomes for astronomy graduates. These careers are in high demand, can be very lucrative, and present unique problem solving opportunities outside of astronomy.”
  • Continue to an Advanced Degree in fields such as Medicine, Law, or Business: While they may seem disconnected from Astronomy, the quantitative and reasoning skills you develop in the Astronomy major are transferable to other areas. Many of the sciences courses you are already taking likely fulfill pre-med requirements. 

WHAT DOES AN ASTRONOMER DO?

Astronomers typically do the following:

  • Develop scientific theories and models to explain the properties of the natural world, such as atom formation
  • Plan and conduct scientific experiments and studies to test theories and discover properties of matter and energy
  • Write proposals and apply for research grants
  • Do complex mathematical calculations to analyze physical and astronomical data, such as finding new planets in distant solar systems
  • Design scientific equipment, such as telescopes and lasers
  • Develop computer software to analyze and model data
  • Write scientific papers that may be published in scholarly journals
  • Present research findings at scientific conferences and lectures

Astronomers study the motions, compositions, origins, and other properties of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial bodies. They use ground-based equipment, such as radio and optical telescopes, and space-based equipment, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, to make observations and collect data. Some astronomers focus their research on objects in our own solar system, such as the sun or planets, while others study distant stars, galaxies, and phenomena such as neutron stars and black holes.

If you are considering graduate school, be sure to find research opportunities as part of your undergraduate work.

Career Planning Resources & Websites

Career Exploration Tools                            https://www.umass.edu/careers/career-journey/self-discovery 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook                      www.bls.gov/ooh

Massachusetts Career Information System                                   http://masscis.intocareers.org 

(Click Mass Resident to login with “Amherst/01003”  Then click “Occupations” or “Assessments”)

Careers in Astronomy (AAS)                                                         https://aas.org/careers/career-in-astronomy

Career Profiles in Astronomy (AAS)                                                      https://aas.org/careers/career-profiles   

NOIRLab’s Astronomer Careers                                                       https://noirlab.edu/public/about/careers/ 

 

Astronomy Internship/Research Resources  

UMass Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies               https://www.umass.edu/ours/                     National Science Foundation REUs                                                             https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/ Physics Dept. Research                https://www.physics.umass.edu/undergraduate/research/opportunities   Internship Advice and Opportunities                     https://www.astrobetter.com/wiki/Summer+Internships

AAS Internships/Scholarships                                      https://aas.org/careers/internships-summer-jobs 

NASA Internships and Fellowships                                                   https://intern.nasa.gov/

NASA/JPL Internship Programs                                                     https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/intern/apply/

Space Telescope Science Institute Summer Program               https://www.stsci.edu/opportunities/space-astronomy-summer-program

Dept. of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI)     https://science.osti.gov/wdts/suli

Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research        https://sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduate-research/programs/surf

MIT/Lincoln Lab Research/Internship      https://www.ll.mit.edu/careers/student-opportunities/summer-research-program

University of Tokyo Research Internship Program           https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/utrip/overview/                                             

ASIAA Summer Student Program             https://www.asiaa.sinica.edu.tw/outreach/summerstudent.php

 

Astronomy Job Search Resources

UMass Handshake Database                  https://umass.joinhandshake.com/

AAS Astronomy Jobs                                                                                                      https://aas.org/jobregister

Space Jobs in Europe                             https://www.hespace.com/vacancies

Astronomy/Astrophysics Jobs              https://jobs.sciencecareers.org/jobs/astronomy-astrophysics/#browsing

EU Jobs in Sci Lang Translation            https://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application

 

For Graduate Students Only

European Space Agency                         http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA

Eur Astro Society Non-academic Jobs          http://eas.unige.ch/jobs.jsp

European Patent Office Examiner Jobs        http://www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies.html

Faculty positions                                             https://www.higheredjobs.com/faculty/search.cfm?JobCat=98

European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics http://www.efomp.org/index.php/component/content/article/83-staticcontent/123-job-opportunities

 

IMPORTANT TRANSFERABLE SKILLS TO INCLUDE ON YOUR RESUME 

Advanced mathematical skills. Astronomers perform complex calculations involving calculus, geometry, algebra, and other areas of mathematics. They must be able to express their research in mathematical terms.  

Analytical skills. Astronomers need to be able to carry out scientific experiments and studies. They must be precise and accurate in their analysis because errors could invalidate their research.

Critical-thinking skills. Astronomers must carefully evaluate their own work and the work of others. They must determine whether results and conclusions are based on sound science.

Interpersonal skills. Astronomers must collaborate extensively with others—in both academic and industrial research contexts. They need to be able to work well with others towards a common goal.

Problem-solving skills. Astronomers use scientific observation and analysis to solve complex scientific questions.

Speaking skills. Astronomers present their research at scientific conferences, to the public, or to company management and other employees.

Writing skills. Astronomers write reports that may be published in scientific journals. They also write proposals for research funding.

What Do Employers Look For? (NACE 2025 Job Outlook for Students)

Top 10 Skills Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume:

Problem Solving, Teamwork, Written Communication, Taking Initiative, Strong Work Ethic, Technical Skills, Verbal Communication, Flexibility/Adaptability, Analytical/Quantitative, Detail-Oriented

Factors Considered by Employers When Screening Candidates:

Academic Major, Has completed an internship in the industry, Industry experience, Has demonstrated proficiency in competencies, Has completed an internship with the organization, Has held a leadership position, Has been involved in leadership/extracurricular activities, Has held part-time jobs in college to finance education, Has done volunteer work