Job description template
Astronomer Job Description Template
A copy-ready astronomer job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows astronomers earn a median of $128,820 ($61.94/hour); the middle 50% earn $99,920–$166,000.
Job title
Astronomer
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable astronomer to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will plan observations, analyze data and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Plan observations
- Analyze data
- Build models
- Write code
- Publish papers
- Write proposals
- Teach and mentor
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Working knowledge of astrophysics and data analysis
- Curiosity and persistence
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- Ph.D.
- Postdoctoral fellowships
- Programming skills
- Experience with python
Skills
- Python programming
- Statistics
- Observing
- Scientific writing
- Collaboration
- Communication
Work environment and schedule
Astronomers work at universities, observatories and space agencies. Full time, with night observing at times.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a astronomer job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Astronomer” is the clearest; alternates include Astrophysicist, Planetary Scientist, Observational Astronomer.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of an astronomer so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Astronomer training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Astronomer hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.