The Role
Provide telescope and instrument support for visiting astronomers, maintain and develop scientific instruments and software, contribute to data reduction pipelines and adaptive optics projects, and perform independent research (20% time) leading to publications.
Summary Generated by Built In
Explore the Universe from One of the World's Leading Astronomical Observatories
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.
At Keck Observatory, our work is driven by a shared commitment to advancing scientific discovery while honoring our responsibility to people, place, and community.
Key Responsibilities
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
About
At the W. M. Keck Observatory, we approach our work with wonder about the mysteries of the universe and with deep respect and care for Maunakea – a mountain revered in Hawaiʻi and unlike any other in the world. For more than three decades, astronomers using Keck Observatory’s twin 10-meter telescopes have vastly expanded our understanding of the cosmos through astonishing findings about our solar system, exoplanets, supermassive black holes, the evolution of the universe, and more. We are dedicated to the values of service and stewardship, while advancing the frontiers of astronomy, sharing our discoveries, and inspiring the imagination of all.
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
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 $125,408 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.
About
At the W. M. Keck Observatory, we approach our work with wonder about the mysteries of the universe and with deep respect and care for Maunakea – a mountain revered in Hawaiʻi and unlike any other in the world. For more than three decades, astronomers using Keck Observatory’s twin 10-meter telescopes have vastly expanded our understanding of the cosmos through astonishing findings about our solar system, exoplanets, supermassive black holes, the evolution of the universe, and more. We are dedicated to the values of service and stewardship, while advancing the frontiers of astronomy, sharing our discoveries, and inspiring the imagination of all.
Skills Required
- Ph.D. or equivalent in astronomy, physics, or engineering (or equivalent professional experience)
- Interest and/or experience with scientific instrumentation
- Experience with astronomical observing and/or working at an astronomical observatory
- Proficiency in programming languages for data analysis and simulations (e.g., Python, C/C++, IDL, R, Bash/Shell)
- Ability to create or use data processing pipelines to handle large datasets
- Knowledge of cloud computing and data storage solutions to manage large datasets
- Experience maintaining, calibrating, and developing scientific instruments and related software
- Ability to write scientific papers and produce technical documentation
- Ability to effectively deliver presentations to technical and non-technical audiences
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Ability to prioritize tasks, plan activities, and meet deadlines
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The Company
What We Do
The W. M. Keck Observatory telescopes are among the most scientifically productive on Earth. The two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes atop Maunakea on the Island of Hawaiʻi feature a suite of advanced instruments including imagers, multi-object spectrographs, high-resolution spectrographs, integral-field spectrometers, and world-leading laser guide star adaptive optics systems. Keck Observatory is a private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation. We wish to recognize and acknowledge the very significant cultural role and reverence that the summit of Maunakea has always had within the Native Hawaiian community. We are most fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct observations from this mountain
