About the job

Staff Astronomer I

Department: Observing Support

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: W.M. Keck Headquarters

Reporting To: Jim Lyke

Compensation: $83,686 - $100,374 / year

Description

At W. M. Keck Observatory, we enable groundbreaking discoveries that expand humanity's understanding of the universe. We are seeking a Staff Astronomer I to join our Observing Support team and help deliver exceptional scientific capabilities to astronomers from around the world.

This position combines hands-on telescope and instrument support, scientific software and data analysis, instrumentation development, and independent research—creating a unique opportunity to contribute directly to cutting-edge astronomy while advancing your own scientific interests.

The Staff Astronomer I supports visiting astronomers before, during, and after their observing runs while collaborating with engineers and technical staff to maintain, improve, and develop Keck's world-class instrumentation. The successful candidate will conduct astronomy-related research and contribute to scientific publications while helping ensure the Observatory continues to deliver transformational science. Approximately 20% of work time is dedicated to professional research activities.

Our Mission & Values

At Keck Observatory, our work is driven by a shared commitment to advancing scientific discovery while honoring our responsibility to people, place, and community.

We are guided by core values rooted in:

• Stewardship – We care for our people, facilities, environment, and community with integrity and long-term responsibility.

• Service – We prioritize collective impact, supporting one another, the global astronomy community, and our local Hawaiʻi community to achieve shared goals.

• Collaboration & Inclusion – We work across disciplines and perspectives to solve complex challenges and advance discovery together.

• Excellence & Safety – We deliver high-quality work while maintaining a strong commitment to operational excellence and safety in everything we do.

WHY CHOOSE W. M. KECK OBSERVTORY

• Competitive starting salary ranging from $83,686 to $100,374 annually.

• Generous benefits package, including four (4) weeks of annual paid vacation.

• A robust 8% 403(b) employer contribution (with a 4% employee contribution)

• Dependent Tuition Assistance.

• Comprehensive, fully-paid employee health insurance.

• Join a dedicated team working on the frontiers of astronomy.

Key Responsibilities

Support of Visiting Astronomers (Observers)

• Instruct observers in the use of WMKO’s instruments and telescopes

• Provide pre- and post-observing inquiries and support (both onsite and at remote mainland sites).

• Offer afternoon and night-time support for observers during their runs.

Instrumentation Maintenance and Development

• Maintain, calibrate, and develop scientific instruments and related software.

• Provide night-time engineering support.

• Collaborate with engineers and technicians to maintain, repair, and improve instruments.

Instrument Scientist (when assigned) Responsibilities

• Lead the care of that instrument or capability.

• Take primary responsibility for the instrument, ensuring its proper function and performance.

Contributions to New Instrumentation and Upgrades

• Participate in the development of new instruments or capabilities, including adaptive optics.

• Contribute to major upgrades of existing instruments

Data Reduction Support

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and support of data reduction packages.

Research

• Conduct scientific research related to field of expertise or interest with the expectation that the research will lead to published technical and peer-reviewed papers. Collaboration with colleagues is encouraged.

• This position allocates 20% of work time specifically for research activities.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or equivalent degree in astronomy, physics, or engineering; relevant professional experience may be substituted for a degree.

Experience

• Interest and/or experience with scientific instrumentation

• With astronomical observing and/or working at an astronomical observatory.

Skills

• Ability to prioritize tasks, plan activities, and meet deadlines

• Microsoft Office Proficiency.

• Ability to effectively deliver impactful presentations to a technical and non-technical audience.

Technical Competencies

• Ability to interpret complex data, solve problems, and make predictions based on empirical evidence.

• Proficiency in programming languages for data analysis and simulations (e.g., Python, C/C++, IDL, R, Bash/Shell scripting).

• Ability to create or use data processing pipelines to handle large volumes of data, including calibration, cleaning, and extraction of useful information.

• Knowledge of cloud computing and data storage solutions to manage large datasets.

• Ability to write scientific papers and produce technical documentation.