Research

The Institute of Natural Sciences does research in a wide range of disciplines: from biology,  taxonomy and oceanography to geology, palaeontology and anthropology. Researchers often make use of our extensive collections in their studies, comprising nearly 38 million specimens.

The Institute was created in 1846, at a time when the emphasis was on exploring nature and broadening our knowledge of an endless, exciting, and dangerous planet. 175 years later,  the RBINS challenge is to make our heritage relevant for our future.

Today, our research team comprises 200 scientists and dozens of scientific staff, technicians and volunteers. It is a varied team that includes biologists, taxonomists, geologists, palaeontologists, anthropologists, oceanographers, engineers and tech experts. This enables us to carry out multidisciplinary research.

Evolution, biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources are keywords. This research sheds light on a complex and diverse world that is billions of years old. Our researchers don’t spend all their time in the lab, far from it; several hundred international expeditions are organised every year.