Overview
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
On the job, you would:
- Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
Education
- post-doctoral training
- doctoral degree
Salary
Annual 10th percentile $56,500
Annual median $127,930
Annual 90th percentile $183,500
Knowledge
Math and Science
- arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
- physics
Engineering and Technology
- computers and electronics
- product and service development
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Education and Training
- teaching and course design
Skills
Basic Skills
- reading work related information
- using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems
People and Technology Systems
- thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
- figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Personality
Investigative
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
- Analytical Thinking
- Initiative
- Achievement/Effort
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Persistence
Abilities
Math
- choose the right type of math to solve a problem
- add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- communicate by writing
Ideas and Logic
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
- use rules to solve problems
Attention
- pay attention to something without being distracted