Ph.D., Cambridge
- Professor, Sussex University (until October 1973)
- Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy, Cambridge University (until October 1991)
- Professorial Fellow, King's College, Cambridge (until October 1991)
- Gresham Professor of Astronomy (until June 1977)
- Director, Institute of Astronomy (until September 1982)
- Visiting Professor, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
- Director, Institute of Astronomy (until October 1991)
- 2001, Honorary Professor: Imperial College, London and Leicester University
- Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics, Cambridge (until October 2009)
- January 2004, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge (- present)
| 1995 | Astronomer Royal (- present) |
| 1998 | Trustee of Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (- present) |
| 2004 | Governor, Westminster School (- present) |
| 2005 | President, Royal Society (until 2010) |
| 2006 | Advisory Board : James Martin School (Oxford) (- present) |
| 2008 | Member, Board of Governors, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Promotion Corporation (until October 2011) |
| November 2011 | Member, Board of Governors, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation (-present) |
| 1984 | Heineman Prize for Astrophysics (A.I.P.) |
| 1992 | Knight Bachelor |
| 1998 | Bower Prize and Award for Science, Franklin Institute |
| 2001 | Cosmology Prize, Gruber Foundation |
| 2003 | Einstein Award of World Cultural Council |
| 2004 | Faraday Award (Royal Society) |
| 2005 | Crafoord Prize (Royal Swedish Academy), Life Peerage |
