Staff Astronomer I

W. M. Keck Observatory; Waimea/Kamuela (HI); On-site; USD 83,686 - 100,374; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Tuition support

Job summary

W. M. Keck Observatory seeks a Staff Astronomer I to support visiting astronomers, maintain and develop instruments, and conduct independent research.

You will work with engineers and technical staff to keep Keck's world‑class instrumentation performing at high levels. The role blends telescope and instrument support, scientific software and data analysis, and opportunities to publish results. Approximately 20% of time is dedicated to research, with a competitive salary and comprehensive

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with scientific instrumentation.
• Experience at an astronomical observatory or with astronomical observing.
• Ability to lead, communicate, and collaborate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Instruct observers in the use of WMKO’s instruments and telescopes.
• Provide pre‑ and post‑observing support onsite and at remote sites.
• Offer afternoon and night‑time support during observing runs.
• Maintain, calibrate, and develop instruments and related software.
• Lead the care of an instrument or capability and ensure its proper function.
• Contribute to development of new instruments or upgrades, including adaptive optics.
• Contribute to data reduction packages.
• Conduct research leading to publications; 20% of time for research activities.

Skills

Prioritization

Presentation skills

Data analysis programming

Instrumentation experience

Observatory experience

Education

Ph.D. in Astronomy/Physics/Engineering

Job description

Staff Astronomer I

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026

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.

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.