General information

The Institute of Paleobiology (formerly the Institute of Paleozoology) was established in December, 1952. It is one of the oldest units of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Among its 42 staff members, 22 are researchers (among them four full professors). The Institute encompasses a rich diversity of scientific expertise that ranges from descriptions of fossil biota (vertebrates, invertebrates, plants and microfossils of various origins) to interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology, geology, and related fields. Particularly relevant from the present day perspective of climate variability and change are the broad questions addressed in Institute's research that include how the environmental change, measured over millions of years, can drive biological evolution, and how evolution may also affect environmental conditions. The Institute is renowned for its paleontological collections acquired during expeditions organized in Poland and in various areas of the world (Mongolia, Spitsbergen, Antarctica). Small part of this natural heritage is available for public as exhibitions of the Institute's Museum of Evolution, thereby creating an awareness of the fundamental principles underlying the evolution of life on Earth. The Institute is certified for awarding Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees in Earth and Environmental Sciences, and is a publisher of the quarterly journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, with 2024 Impact Factor = 1.8, ranked 21th among 57 international paleontological journals listed by ISI.

Mission

Understanding the fossil record as a foundation of knowledge about the history and evolution of the living world and as a source of intellectual inspiration.

Strategy

Maintaining the highest quality of research in pace with the developments in global science and furthering the advancement of academic staff in order to maintain its leading role in paleobiological research. Applying European standards to HR processes by implementing the principles and recommendations of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Implementation

The mission of the Institute is realized through interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology, geology, and related fields, sharing the results internationally in widely accessible publications, and promoting both national and international cooperation. In particular, we emphasize further exploration of Poland and other areas to obtain research material, developing paleontological collections, improving the quality of laboratory facilities, and spreading the knowledge on the history of life on Earth, which makes it necessary to continue our participation in teaching at the university level.