Career in Space Research

Space research involves science, engineering and technical fields.

A career in space research is available in academic, industrial and governmental settings. Study a specialization, such as astrophysics or computer engineering, that will prepare you for a job in aerospace exploration.

Educational Institutions

Space laboratories focus on astronomy.

Large post-secondary institutions actively pursue space research. People who do space research work as physics professors, research fellows, research assistants or PhD students at colleges with graduate space programs, such as MIT and Harvard. Schools with aerospace laboratories also hire engineers and technicians to support their operations.

Space Agencies

Space agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency provide research careers for people with backgrounds in science or engineering fields such as biology, meteorology and computer engineering. You can also find employment as an electronics technician.

Corporate Jobs

Private companies have departments that may focus on projects related to aerospace or defense. You can get a job as a flight software or design engineer, working on aircrafts or space systems. These companies also hire specialists or consultants on a contract basis.

References

• UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory: Careers in Scientific Research
• Universities Space Research Association: All Member Universities
• UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory: Careers in Engineering
• NASA Jobs: NASA Occupations
• ATK: Job Search

Resources

• European Space Agency: Careers at ESA
• Space Jobs database
• Earth Works: Jobs in Astronomy, Space & Planetary Sciences