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Science

Our knowledge contributes to biodiversity preservation

National
research institute

Naturalis is the Dutch national research institute for biodiversity. Working with one of the largest natural history collections in the world, our researchers work on describing, monitoring and understanding biodiversity. This type of research is fundamental to the protection of both the Earth’s natural riches, and ourselves. Our research quality was rated as “excellent” by an external visitation in 2021.

Working together with Naturalis

We have state-of-the-art laboratories, a collection of over 42 million specimens, a staff of over 120 researchers and several teams to support them. We work together with local governments, NGOs and many different types of companies.

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Research
and scientific infrastructure

At Naturalis, over 120 researchers are working on scientific issues in the field of biodiversity on land and at sea worldwide: mapping species and their cohesion, and their changing living environment. Our data specialists work on automatic species identification, and on weaving all biodiversity data together.

Researchers and specialists

Research groups and departments

News
from Naturalis

Naturalis-onderzoekers meten de maanvis op. 1.89 van snavel tot staart
December 16th, 2021

Ocean sunfish found on Ameland safe in the freezer

The ocean sunfish that washed up on the beach in Ameland last Monday is now in a cold storage. Naturalis employees have taken some samples for research. The animal will be stuffed, and museum visitors will be able to see that process live.
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Schematische pentekening van de garnaal Odontia kerancaris.
December 13th, 2021

Student discovers new shrimp species by chance

When biology student Mike Groenhof was making a phylogenetic tree of fifty shrimp species for his internship, one specimen turned out to be an undescribed species. The new species was discovered by chance during one of the DNA analyses: the genetic code of…
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Education
for students

The research groups at Naturalis offer  bachelor- and master courses at Dutch and international universities. We also offer many projects for Bachelor and Master internships. For PhD students, we have a lauded PhD-programme in place.

Education:  bachelor- and master courses

Research: bachelor- and master projects

A PhD at Naturalis 

LiveScience
Nederlandse paddestoelen

Infrastructures, networks
& publications


 

In the light of the current biodiversity crisis, having all biodiversity and taxonomical data connected and available is more important than ever. Naturalis is leading the way in endeavors to make this happen, both on a national and a worldwide scale.

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Butterflies and moths
Planten en schimmels

Naturalis conducts research
worldwide