NSXNational Skills ExchangeSign in
Back to Framework

Astronomers

SOC 19-2011.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full career arc of professional astronomers working in university departments, national observatories, and research institutes — from supervised doctoral-level research through institutional leadership of large-scale observational, theoretical, and collaborative astrophysics programs.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Astronomical datasets — analyze using established computational pipelines and scientific software under faculty or senior astronomer guidance.
  2. Ground-based and space-borne telescope observations — execute according to approved observing protocols within a supervised research program.
  3. Scientific literature — read and synthesize peer-reviewed papers to support an ongoing research project in a university or observatory setting.
  4. Research findings — present in structured formats at internal group meetings or departmental seminars under the direction of a supervising astronomer.
  5. Mathematical and statistical methods — apply to reduce and interpret observational data within a defined research task assigned by a principal investigator.
  6. Astronomical databases and archival data repositories — query and retrieve relevant datasets following documented procedures in a research computing environment.
  7. Data visualization tools and graphics software — produce plots and figures that accurately represent celestial measurements for inclusion in progress reports.
  8. Collaborative research tasks — contribute to team projects by completing assigned sub-tasks and communicating results clearly to senior collaborators.
  9. Physical and mathematical principles — apply foundational knowledge of physics and astrophysics to interpret observed celestial phenomena within supervised coursework or a thesis project.
  10. Laboratory and computing safety protocols — follow consistently while operating observatory equipment and high-performance computing systems in a research facility.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Observational data from multiple telescope platforms — analyze independently using scientific and development environment software to identify statistically significant astrophysical signals.
  2. Celestial phenomena investigations — design and execute observing programs using ground-based and space-borne instruments with reduced oversight in a professional research setting.
  3. Journal manuscripts and conference papers — draft and revise to communicate research findings to the broader astronomical community with limited editorial guidance.
  4. Scientific conference presentations — deliver oral or poster presentations of original research findings to specialist audiences at national or international meetings.
  5. Theoretical models of celestial systems — develop and refine based on personal observations and published literature, situating conclusions within the current state of the field.
  6. Graduate student researchers — assist in day-to-day supervision of data collection and analysis tasks within an observatory or university research group.
  7. Collaborative multi-investigator projects — coordinate assigned contributions, manage shared datasets, and integrate results into cohesive research outputs.
  8. Astronomy or astrophysics course content — teach introductory or intermediate topics in a university classroom, adapting instructional strategies to student learning needs.
  9. Complex problem-solving approaches — select and justify appropriate analytical or computational methods when addressing non-routine observational anomalies in a research program.
  10. Research proposals for internal funding or telescope time allocation — prepare with clearly defined scientific objectives and feasibility assessments under senior review.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Large-scale astronomical datasets — independently design and execute end-to-end computational analyses, drawing significant scientific conclusions for peer-reviewed publication.
  2. Original astrophysical theories — develop from synthesis of personal observational results and broader disciplinary literature, advancing understanding of celestial phenomena in a research institution.
  3. Full observing campaigns across ground-based and space-borne telescope networks — plan, coordinate, and execute autonomously, adapting methods when non-routine instrumental or environmental conditions arise.
  4. Peer-reviewed research articles — author and submit to high-impact scientific journals, responding to reviewer critiques with rigorous scientific and rhetorical precision.
  5. Graduate student thesis research — supervise comprehensively from project design through dissertation defense, ensuring scientific rigor and professional development in a university department.
  6. Multi-institutional collaborative research projects — lead scientific coordination, align team contributions to shared objectives, and arbitrate methodological decisions across partner organizations.
  7. External grant proposals to federal agencies or foundations — develop with full scientific justification, broader impact narratives, and detailed technical approaches as principal investigator.
  8. Emerging computational and instrumentation technologies — evaluate, adopt, and integrate into active research workflows to maintain methodological currency in a rapidly evolving field.
  9. Astronomy or astrophysics graduate courses — design curricula and deliver instruction that bridges foundational theory with frontier research in a doctoral-granting program.
  10. Cross-disciplinary research problems — apply astronomical expertise in collaboration with physicists, engineers, and data scientists to address complex questions that span traditional domain boundaries.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Institutional research strategy and long-range scientific agenda — define and champion for an observatory, research center, or university astronomy department at the organizational level.
  2. Major telescope facility or space mission programs — provide scientific leadership to shape instrument design requirements, observational priorities, and data-access policies at a programmatic scale.
  3. Flagship peer-reviewed publications and review articles — author to synthesize decades of research and set the conceptual framework for future inquiry across the astronomical community.
  4. Junior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students — mentor systematically through sponsorship, feedback, and professional networking to build the next generation of astronomical scientists.
  5. Large interdisciplinary research consortia or national collaborations — lead governance, resource allocation, and scientific prioritization across dozens of investigators and institutions.
  6. High-stakes funding portfolios — secure and steward multi-year, multi-million-dollar grants from federal agencies, shaping the financial and scientific trajectory of a research program.
  7. Decadal survey panels and scientific advisory boards — contribute expert judgment to national priority-setting processes that determine observatory investments and mission portfolios for the field.
  8. Graduate and postdoctoral training programs — design and implement at institutional scale, embedding inclusive pedagogical and mentorship frameworks that advance workforce diversity.
  9. Transformative astrophysical theories or discoveries — communicate to scientific and public audiences through keynote addresses, media engagements, and policy testimony, translating complex findings into broad impact.
  10. Organizational culture of scientific excellence, ethical practice, and innovation — model and cultivate across a department or research enterprise, setting norms that govern conduct and collaboration.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

A 4-level framework describing how a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline. Subscribe for $19.99/mo to read the full framework — or sign in if you have a subscription.

  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library

Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency levels for this occupation. Subscribe to unlock the full Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework across all 1,016 occupations.

Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library
Show O*NET source anchors60 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Astronomer · Astronomy Outreach Coordinator · Astrophysicist · Cosmologist · Extragalactic Astronomer · Galactic Astronomer · High-Energy Astrophysicist · Institute Scientist · Optical Astronomer · Planetary Astronomer · Postdoc Scientist (Postdoctoral Scientist) · Postdoctoral Associate (Postdoc Associate)
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionScienceCritical ThinkingWritingMathematicsSpeakingActive LearningActive ListeningLearning StrategiesJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationManagement of Personnel ResourcesPersuasionInstructingSystems AnalysisSystems Evaluation
Knowledge domains
PhysicsMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingEngineering and TechnologyChemistry
Abilities
Deductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionOral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionNumber FacilityMathematical ReasoningNear VisionSpeech Clarity
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityInnovationAttention to DetailAchievement OrientationPerseveranceDependability
Technology
Development environment softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareData base management system softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareObject or component oriented development softwareOperating system softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
  2. Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
  3. Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
  4. Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
  5. Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
  6. Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.
  7. Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
  8. Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
CIP education codes
40.020140.020240.020340.029940.1101

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.