Impacted Members/Scientists: Request a membership waiver, seek meeting support, and other resources. Learn more. For the latest public policy updates, please visit this page.
Support Astronomer for Lick Observatory
Job Summary
Category
Scientific / Technical Staff
Institution
University of California Observatories
Department
Lick Observatory
Number of Positions Available
1
Duration
2 Years
Could the duration be extended?
Yes
Work Arrangement
In-Person
In-Person Location(s)
Mt. Hamilton, CA
United States
Job Description
The University of California Observatories (UCO) at UC Santa Cruz seeks a Support Astronomer for Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. UCO operates Lick and partners with Keck and TMT; this role ensures world-class observing for the UC community while contributing to public programs on the mountain.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical and scientific support to observers: instrument setup/calibration, observer training/checkouts, and on-call troubleshooting/recovery.
- Operate and maintain Lick instrumentation, including ShaneAO and laser guide star operations; support ~65–80 observing nights/year.
- Optimize AO equipment; assist with development/commissioning of new instruments.
- Create and maintain user documentation; support remote observing systems (e.g., VM images).
- Collaborate with off-site teams and respond to time-critical events (e.g., Targets of Opportunity).
- Lead/teach in workshops and hands-on trainings; independent research is encouraged.
- Public programs & outreach: plan and deliver Lick’s summer programs; coordinate vendors, logistics, budgets, and on-site execution; give presentations/night-sky tours; support private/media events; liaise with campus and external partners.
Required/Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Planetary Science, or related field.
- Experience operating large telescopes and day/night observatory operations.
- Strong troubleshooting under time pressure; instrument support experience a plus.
- Programming/data reduction familiarity (e.g., Python, C, Tcl; IRAF/IDL/Starlink).
- Excellent communication; ability to train users across varied backgrounds.
- Demonstrated public engagement; interest in astronomy history/night-sky lore; strong organization and event coordination skills; commitment to inclusion.
Working Conditions
- Frequent nights/weekends; ~5 on-call nights/month; ability to respond on site within 40 minutes.
- Must work safely in a remote, mountaintop environment.
- Residence at Mt. Hamilton during night shifts is required; subsidized university housing may be available.
For complete job details please visit: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF02001
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation Type
Salary
Currency
467
Compensation Range
$75,000USD to $105,000USD
Included Benefits
UC offers a wide variety of health and welfare benefits (such as medical and dental insurance, maternity leave, retirement benefits, moving expenses reimbursement, etc). Some covered by UC and some available at UC’s group rates. Find out what you’re eligible for and how costs are shared here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/
Compensation Notes
The position requires that the Support Astronomer reside at Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton (a remote, rural environment and community). Subsidized university owned housing at Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton may be available to rent for the support astronomer.
Application Details
Application Instructions
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications (please include DOI links or the URLs of PDFs) and a minimum of three professional references along with their contact information. The search committee will contact the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration.
Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
Reference requirements - Applications must include 3-5 confidential letters of recommendation. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF02001
Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
Reference requirements - Applications must include 3-5 confidential letters of recommendation. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF02001
Link to Online Application
Publication Start Date
2025 Oct 07
Application Deadline
2025 Nov 02
Reference Code
Job #JPF02001