Bernard Pagel obtained his Ph.D. in Cambridge in 1955 and became a Research Fellow at Sidney Sussex college in 1953-1956, then later became a Deputy Scientific Officer at Royal Greenwich Observatory, an observatory where the prime meridian passes through it.
He remained in Cambridge to pursue his doctoral studies, obtaining his PhD in 1955. He was a Research Fellow at Sidney Sussex college from 1953-1956. In 1956, he moved to the Royal Greenwich Observatory at Herstmonceux Castle where he spent the greater part of his career, eventually progressing to the grade of Deputy Chief Scientific Officer. 
