Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University Jobs: Pioneering Careers in Astronomy
Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University Jobs offer unparalleled opportunities for academics, researchers, and professionals passionate about advancing astronomical instrumentation. Located in North Ryde, New South Wales, this world-class facility specializes in developing cutting-edge optical technologies for major telescopes worldwide. Whether you're seeking professor positions Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University, research jobs, or lecturer roles, AcademicJobs.com connects you to the latest higher education jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University.
Explore academic careers at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University, where faculty salaries are competitive, averaging AUD 125,000 for lecturers and up to AUD 210,000+ for professors, influenced by experience and grants. Current trends highlight demand for experts in adaptive optics, spectrographs, and photonic devices, with ongoing projects for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and European Southern Observatory (ESO). Rate professors Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University via our Rate My Professor platform to gain insights from students and peers. With Macquarie University's supportive environment, including ARC funding and international collaborations, these roles provide exceptional research jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University.
Discover salaries Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University academia and faculty jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University today. Find Faculty Jobs at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University or check salary benchmarks. For student perspectives, Rate Professors at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University now and contribute to the community.
About Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University
Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University (AAO-MQ) is a premier research facility dedicated to designing and building advanced optical instruments for ground-based astronomy. Established through the transfer of the Australian Astronomical Optics group from The Australian National University to Macquarie University in 2018, AAO-MQ has become a cornerstone of Australia's astronomical research ecosystem. Located on the Macquarie University campus in North Ryde, New South Wales, it benefits from state-of-the-art laboratories and proximity to Sydney's vibrant tech hub.
The mission of AAO-MQ is to deliver innovative instrumentation that enables groundbreaking astronomical discoveries. Key achievements include the development of the MANIFEST facility for the GMT, the Hector Spectrograph, and contributions to instruments on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and Gemini Observatory. With around 50 expert staff, including engineers, scientists, and technicians, AAO-MQ excels in areas like adaptive optics, fibre optics, spectrograph design, and photonic technologies. Its integration with Macquarie University's Faculty of Science and Engineering fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.
As part of Academic Jobs in Australia and Academic Jobs in New South Wales, AAO-MQ attracts top talent for research jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University. Visit the Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University Website for more on their projects and facilities. This hub supports Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University academic opportunities through cutting-edge research and global partnerships.
The facility's history traces back to the 1980s at ANU, evolving into a leader in multi-object spectroscopy and high-resolution imaging. Today, it drives innovations for next-generation telescopes, making it an ideal destination for professor positions Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University and higher education jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University.
Faculty Job Opportunities at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University
Faculty job opportunities at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University are thriving, with high demand for roles in astronomical instrumentation and optics research. Key positions include Research Fellows, Instrument Scientists, and Lecturers within Macquarie University's astrophysics and photonics groups. Recent trends show growth in projects for the GMT and ESO, driving needs for experts in adaptive optics and spectrograph design. Salaries for these faculty jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University start at AUD 115,000 for lecturers, reflecting competitive packages in New South Wales. AcademicJobs.com lists the latest lecturer roles Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University and research jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University.
High-demand departments focus on optical engineering and data analysis, with opportunities for tenure-track advancement. Explore Research Jobs, Faculty Jobs, and Lecturer Jobs tailored to Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University academic opportunities. With Macquarie's emphasis on innovation, these positions offer best faculty jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University.
Research Fellow in Adaptive Optics 🎓
Salary: AUD 115,000 - 136,000
Develop next-gen systems for GMT. Ideal for PhD holders in optics.
View Jobs →Instrument Scientist 💼
Salary: AUD 140,000 - 161,000
Lead spectrograph projects for ESO. Experience in photonics required.
View Jobs →Lecturer in Astronomical Optics 📚
Salary: AUD 115,000 - 136,000
Teach and research fibre optics. Part of Macquarie's science faculty.
View Jobs →Postdoctoral Research Associate 🔬
Salary: AUD 81,000 - 109,000
Work on MANIFEST facility. Entry-level research role.
View Jobs →Senior Research Engineer 📐
Salary: AUD 140,000 - 170,000
Design optics prototypes. Engineering background preferred.
View Jobs →Why Work at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University
Academic careers at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University stand out for their blend of cutting-edge research, global impact, and supportive environment. Researchers contribute to instruments used on the world's largest telescopes, such as the VLT and upcoming GMT, offering unparalleled professional fulfillment. Macquarie University's campus in North Ryde provides modern facilities, including clean rooms for optics fabrication and advanced testing labs.
Benefits include competitive salaries Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University academia, flexible work arrangements, generous superannuation (17%), and access to ARC and NHMRC funding. Career prospects are strong, with pathways to leadership in international consortia. The location in North Ryde offers work-life balance near Sydney, with excellent public transport. Join a collaborative team driving innovations in professor positions Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University. Explore Higher Ed Career Advice for more.
Salary Guide for Faculty at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University 📊
Faculty salaries at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University are governed by Macquarie University's Enterprise Agreement, offering competitive pay in line with Australian higher education standards. Research from 2024 data shows lecturer roles averaging AUD 125,000, senior lecturers around AUD 150,000, and professors exceeding AUD 200,000, with supplements for research excellence and grants. Factors influencing pay include years of experience, publication record, teaching load, and department funding—optics roles often command premiums due to specialized skills. Location in New South Wales adds to appeal with cost-of-living adjustments.
Compared to national averages, salaries Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University academia are 5-10% higher for research-intensive positions, per Glassdoor and MQ reports. Highest paid professors Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University earn up to AUD 250,000 with leadership duties. Visit Professor Salaries and University Salaries for benchmarks. Additional perks like relocation allowances enhance packages for faculty jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University.
| Role | Min Salary (AUD) | Average (AUD) | Max Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Associate | $81,000 | $95,000 | $109,000 |
| Lecturer | $115,000 | $125,000 | $136,000 |
| Senior Lecturer | $140,000 | $150,000 | $161,000 |
| Associate Professor | $164,000 | $172,000 | $181,000 |
| Professor | $209,000 | $225,000 | $250,000+ |
Rate My Professor: Top Educators at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University
Discover top educators at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University through Rate My Professor on AcademicJobs.com. Student feedback highlights excellence in optics and astronomy courses, helping you select the best professors for research supervision or classes. Professor ratings Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University average 4.6/5, reflecting high teaching quality.
Prof. Jon S. Lawrence
Director, Astronomical Optics
"Inspiring leader in instrumentation."
Dr. Jurek Brzeski
Instrument Scientist
"Expert in spectrograph design."
Dr. Arlene N. Smith
Photonics Researcher
"Clear teaching on adaptive optics."
Dr. David G. Gozzard
Adaptive Optics Specialist
"Innovative research supervisor."
Dr. I. J. Stevenson
Fibre Optics Engineer
"Practical lab instruction."
Prof. Sarah Brough
Astrophysics Collaborator
"Galaxy surveys expert."
Career Progression at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University
Career paths at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University typically start with postdoctoral research associates, progressing to research fellows, lecturers, and senior academic roles. Unlike US tenure-track, Australian positions emphasize continuing appointments based on performance and funding. Success factors include securing ARC grants and publications in high-impact journals like Nature Astronomy. Salaries scale accordingly, with research fellows at AUD 115k+ leading to professor levels at AUD 200k+.
Professional development includes MQ workshops, international conferences, and leadership training. Links to Higher Ed Career Advice and Professor Salaries provide guidance for career guide Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University.
Research and Innovation at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University
Research trends at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University focus on photonic recombination, hexabundles, and multi-object integral field spectroscopy. Major projects include MANIFEST for GMT and contributions to 4MOST for ESO. With AUD 20M+ in funding, collaborations span AURA, ESO, and domestic partners. Opportunities abound for innovative research jobs Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University. Explore Research Jobs and specialized roles.
Resources for Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University Academics
- Professional development via Macquarie Academy and ARC grants training.
- Union support through NTEU for negotiations and welfare.
- Benefits: 17% super, sabbaticals, childcare subsidies.
- Career tools on Free Resume Template and Cover Letter Template.
- Relocation assistance for international hires.
Access resources for academics.
Student Life and Perspectives at Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie University
Students benefit from AAO-MQ's integration with Macquarie's astrophysics programs, offering hands-on research in optics. Career outcomes include PhDs leading to global observatories. Use Rate My Professor for professor selection and Scholarships for funding. Explore Academic Calendar for terms.

