How to hire astronomers
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers. • Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects. • Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers. • Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues. • Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals. • Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments. • Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena. • Teach astronomy or astrophysics. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Doctoral or professional degree] • Strong reading comprehension, science, critical thinking, mathematics, writing and active learning skills • Working knowledge of physics, mathematics, computers and electronics and English Language • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $61.94 an hour ($128,820 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for astronomers
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to mentor graduate students and junior colleagues. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
- Tell me about a time you used scientific or technical knowledge to solve a work problem.
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What astronomers do
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
- Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
- Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
- Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.
- Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for astronomers
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: +7.8% over ten years, faster than average · about 100 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay astronomers
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $132,620 |
See astronomers pay in every state
Related hiring guides
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- Atmospheric and Space Scientists
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- Materials Scientists
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- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
- Hydrologists
- Physical Scientists, All Other
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Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.