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Volunteering
The running of Kielder Observatory is only possible due to the amazing support we have from a group of passionate and dedicated volunteers.
Our science team consists of 10 astronomers who, along with our visiting scientists, manage the events at the Observatory. We have an administration and operations management team based in our offices in Newcastle. The rest of the staff you will meet at the Observatory are volunteers.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and range from teenagers to retired people. Many of our volunteers are keen amateur astronomers with interests ranging from astro-imaging and cosmology, they also include former university lecturers as well as some who just want to be involved and are happy helping our guests enjoy their visit or simply making them hot drinks. Several of our volunteers have been appointed to full time paid positions at the Observatory.
We are always looking out for new volunteers to help out, it would be great if you have some astronomy experience, but it is not essential, more important is that you are willing to offer your time and that you are friendly, approachable and enthusiastic about astronomy.
Kielder Observatory is happy to support and pay incurred travel costs that any volunteers have (a maximum limit applies), and we provide on site training, which has included areas as diverse as telescope operations to first aid training.
Kielder is a magical place, which after you visit you'll most likely want to come back again and again. Volunteering for us gives you that amazing opportunity.
General help during events and making drinks for the guests. With training, this can lead to science communication and leading tours of the observatory and describing our telescopes to visitors. If you would like to help out, please contact us via our site.
