The Research School of Biological Sciences (RSBS) is one of Australia's leading biological research centres. It is part of the College of Science at Australia's premier research university, the Australian National University (ANU).

The School was established in 1967, as part of the University's Institute of Advanced Studies and is now part of the University's College of Science. The School's mission is to conduct research and research training in the biological sciences, to formulate and address the major biological problems of the day. It also contributes substantially to undergraduate teaching in biology, including neurosciences.

Our research is organized into 10 Research Groups (linkage), under three broad themes, of Global Climate Change, Neuroscience and Behaviour, and Evolutionary and Developmental Genetics. The School hosts ARC Centres of Excellence in Molecular and Genetic Evolution, Kangaroo Genomics, Integrated Legume Research, Vision Science and Plant Energy Biology.

Basic and strategic research

We conduct basic and strategic research in areas of biology and biotechnology selected for their potential to deliver benefits for Australia. Biological research discoveries will provide advances in significant areas such as agriculture, environment, health and technology. Our research is led by scientists who are leaders in their research fields competing at the highest international level.

RSBS has an outstanding scientific reputation. In a recent Australian Research Council review the RSBS was rated ahead of other Australian institutions in a number of categories including the number of research publications per researcher, citations per paper and proportion of papers in the most highly cited 5 and 10% of publications.

Research is supported by state of the art facilities and services to staff and students including plant and animal culture, computing, photography, illustration, workshops, shared major equipment and conference facilities.

Research training and teaching

We are committed to developing the next generation of biological researchers. RSBS provides research training at graduate and postdoctoral levels. The graduate student program provides more than just a traditional research project, students are also given opportunities to gain various skills in all aspects of personal and career development. RSBS also participates in specialist undergraduate teaching across the ANU campus and in other universities.

Collaboration

Biological research problems are complex and require an integrated approach. Research in RSBS is highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary, to maximise available expertise on every project. To further strengthen our research we have established more than 200 scientific collaborations between RSBS, other parts of the ANU, other universities, research institutes and government.

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