There are very few jobs for astronomers in New Zealand, so most astronomy graduates either seek employment overseas or move into other related areas of work.

Few astronomer positions

Most astronomy jobs are at universities, where astronomers teach and do research. However, getting a university job in this field is difficult, as there are only about 10 permanent positions. Moreover, people tend to stay in these jobs for a long time, so vacancies are rare.

Though paid postdoctoral fellowships in astronomy are also available, these two to three-year positions are only awarded about once every two years.

Lack of funding limits job opportunities for astronomers

Government funding for research in astronomy has long been relatively low, which limits the number of astronomer positions. Most government funding tends to go toward applied research, which results in direct financial benefits, rather than fundamental research like astronomy, which does not result in direct financial profit. For example, in 2008, the Government spent $250 million on applied research, compared with just $50 million on fundamental research.

Most astronomy graduates move overseas or into other industries to get a job

Most astronomy graduates move overseas, where job opportunities are better because there is more investment in astronomy research.

Within New Zealand, astronomy graduates usually find employment in other physics-related fields because of their high level of training in physics – for example, telecommunications, computing, or software development.

Almost all professional astronomers in New Zealand work at universities, either in permanent positions or on postdoctoral fellowships.

Overseas, astronomers are also employed in observatories, planetariums and museums, but in New Zealand these facilities mostly employ amateur astronomers. 

Astronomers taking up jobs overseas can also work for research and development centres, or for companies who make astronomy-related equipment.

Astronomers in New Zealand work in these universities:

• University of Canterbury
• University of Auckland
• Victoria University of Wellington
• Auckland University of Technology
• Massey University.

Most astronomy graduates in New Zealand go overseas for work, mainly to the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.