Education · 1 of 5

The path

There is no shortcut. Research astronomy runs on the doctorate.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Physics and the highest math your school offers, plus any coding you can pick up. An astronomy club is fun but the physics is what matters.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Physics or astronomy. Get into a research group by your second year, because a summer research placement is what makes a graduate application competitive.

3. 3

   Doctorate

   5 to 7 years

   Coursework, then years on one research problem, then a thesis. Funded by teaching and research assistantships or a fellowship.

4. 4

   Postdoctoral research

   2 to 6 years

   Short fixed-term research jobs, usually two or three years each, often in another city or country. Most people do one or two.

5. 5

   Permanent position

   If it happens

   A faculty job, an observatory staff role or a federal research post. This is the narrow gate, and plenty of good people do not get through it.