Engage with us

Macquarie University offers Australia’s longest-running undergraduate degree majoring in astronomy and astrophysics. Since 2010, we have been offering a rich and rigorous major program of astrophysics courses spanning multiple years of study. Our courses make full use of our:

• comprehensive on-campus observatory
• computational laboratory
• hands-on experimental facilities.

Our lecturers are experienced researchers making discoveries and working with state-of-the-art methods and facilities, bringing their experience into the classroom.

The degree program concludes with a placement in an external research or industry partner, facilitated through Macquarie’s unique PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) program, giving our students real-world experience prior to graduation.

Explore our Major in Astronomy and Astrophysics, and learn how to accept your offer and enrol at Macquarie.

For Higher Degree Research (HDR) students

HDR students include both Master of Research (MRes) and Doctorate (PhD) courses of study. HDR students work closely with the centre’s leading researchers and are further supported by a formal co-supervisor from within our team.

When you study a PhD with us, you benefit from:

• Travel opportunities: Visit cutting-edge research telescopes like the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile.
• Collaborative opportunities: We have links with innovative instrumentation engineers and astronomers at the Australian Astronomical Optics and CSIRO Space and Astronomy.
• Research environment: Astrophysics and Space Technologies is one of the fastest-growing astronomy research centres in Australia, ranked ‘well above world standard’ in Astronomy and Space Science.
• Public outreach: We host a range of events year-round, including discovery sessions at our on-campus observatory, functions at the mobile planetarium and our annual Astronomy Open Night which attracts more than 2000 visitors each year.

Learn more about our PhD and research degrees.

Note: Eligibility grading scales may vary internationally. International candidates are encouraged to contact us at astrohdrinfo@mq.edu.au to discuss eligibility.

For researchers

Research fellowships: We are always ready to provide strong support for excellent candidates wishing to apply for competitive fellowship schemes to join our research team. Currently, there are three primary avenues:

• Macquarie research fellowships (MQRF)
• Discovery ECR Award (DECRA)
• ARC Future Fellowships.

Visitor support schemes: The centre and its partners can provide financial support for researchers and distinguished visitors wishing to spend time as part of our research group. This can vary from 1–2 day seminar visits to sabbatical stays of several months.

To explore what supports may be available, contact the relevant centre researcher to start the conversation.

Our centre aims to build partnerships that will design, develop and produce the next generation of astronomical instruments and data-intensive capabilities, and to harness the innovation flowing from fundamental research for both research and commercial applications.

We recognise that the scale of future astronomical facilities demands skills, expertise and technologies beyond the current capabilities of Australia’s academic community. We are committed to engaging with commercial and industrial partners to identify and overcome challenges of mutual interest.

In addition to industry engagement through individual researchers, our Centre hosts several key industry-facing capabilities:

• Australian Astronomical Optics: AAO is a specialised department within the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Macquarie University focused on designing, building and testing advanced instrumentation for astronomical studies of deep space, earth observation, defence and other applications.
• OptoFab: One of eight nationwide nodes of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), providing researchers and industry with access to specialist facilities and technical support in microprocessing, microfabrication and characterisation of fibre, planar and bulk materials which include glass, metals, ceramics, silicon, polymers and crystals.

Macquarie University has been among the top-rated employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index since the index was founded in 2010.

The University has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Federal Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) in the past two rounds; and has a proud culture of promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Our research centre members are highly engaged in EDI, with ongoing leadership experience at department, faculty, and centre of excellence levels. We have sustained engagement with EDI accreditation schemes like Science and Gender Equity (SAGE), and the ASA Pleiades Awards.

For academic and professional opportunities at the Astrophysics and Space Technologies Research Centre and Macquarie University, see the current job openings.

Casual employment with the Association for Astronomy is available working with the portable planetarium and observatory. To apply, send a CV and a one-page letter highlighting your experience, interests, availability, and contact details for two references to starinfo@mq.edu.au.

Our centre members are very active in public outreach and science communications, and engage with the public understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through a broad range of activities.

Our researchers have been recognised for their efforts in science communication through prizes such as NSW Young Tall Poppy, Super Stars of STEM, and Eureka Prize nominations. We edeavour to share our enthusiasm for science at every opportunity.

The Macquarie University Association for Astronomy (AfA)

This student-run collective was established in 1988 by Dr. Alan Vaughan to promote astronomy outreach to the public, enabling various parts of the astronomical community to interact, and encouraging teaching and research in astronomy and astrophysics at Macquarie University.

The AfA runs weekly public observing sessions at the Macquarie University Astronomical Observatory, located on our Wallumattagal campus, where members of the public can look through professional telescopes, and be guided around the astrophysical objects in the skies above Sydney.

The AfA is also available to bring bespoke planetarium shows directly to your school, scout group, or other organisations, using our state-of-the-art digital projection inflatable planetarium.

Learn more about engagement with us.

Astronomy Open Night

The annual Macquarie University Astronomy Open Night brings over 2,000 people to Macquarie each year to enjoy a jam-packed family-friendly evening of astronomy-themed talks. The night showcases:

• research activities of staff, HDR students, and undergraduates, as well as a keynote guest speaker
• multiple experimental demonstrations from across physics
• hands-on activities with robotics
• fun competitions with telescope give-aways
• a large on-campus night sky observing area equipped with 30-40 telescopes, operated by an outstanding community of dedicated amateur astronomy societies and individuals with whom we have built a long-standing collaboration around this event.

The 2024 Astronomy Open Night will be held on September 21.

Allison-Levick Public Lecture

The Allison-Levick Memorial Lecture is funded by a bequest from Mr Jack Allison-Levick, a Melbourne psychiatrist with a life-long interest in astronomy.

Mr Allison-Levick had seen photographs taken by astrophotographer David Malin, and was moved to leave money in his will for talks that would enhance the public understanding of astronomy and further the reputation of the Observatory.

Macquarie University hosts this annual public lecture series which brings the public into direct contact with the latest developments in the field of astronomy.

Recent speakers have included:

• 2023: Dr Stuart Ryder (Macquarie University). Watch the 2023 lecture.
• 2022: Professor Xavier Barcons (ESO). Download 2022 speaker bios.
• 2021: Professor Catherine Heymans (University of Edinburgh). Download 2021 speaker bio.