Hiring Scientists for Research: Are Physicists Needed?

[PhysicsHigh]

No its not but why do they not hire physicists? All the jobs are for engineers and astrobiologists. Don't they need scientists for research? For like the Hubble telescope or the new James Webb telescope? If I'm wrong tell me but I was just doing research and found no info on it.

 

[DR13]

No its not but why do they not hire physicists?

Where did you hear that?

 

[Ryker]

I suggest you take another look at this website: http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/a9nasai.aspx. There seem to be more positions for engineers than other professions, but if you look at the qualifications, a person with a Physics degree would also be eligible for those same jobs. Plus, just because the title says engineer doesn't mean only engineers can do the job, although most likely it's going to be a harder sell. But it's only logical that there aren't as many research positions open as there are engineering ones, because the nature of NASA isn't really being a basic research lab.

 

[PhysicsHigh]

Ok but what about all their telescopes don't they do research with them?

 

[harcel]

No, NASA itself is not doing a lot of research. They do some, but the majority of the research done with the telescopes you mention is done at academic institutions. That aside, i am an astrophysicist and my job is paid out of NASA budget.