The Royal Society of Edinburgh

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced that 43 individuals deemed excellent in their field were elected as RSE Fellows in 2026, who will use their knowledge for the public good as part of Scotland’s National Academy. This year, a third of new Fellows hailed from public health disciplines.

A new report suggests how we can better bridge university research and policy needs, to improve how research feeds into policy. The report, commissioned by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Universities Scotland, points to the massive uptick in research-policy exchange over the past two decades. However, it warns that activity is too often uncoordinated and unfocused. A key barrier is the divergent motivations and needs of research organisations and government in engaging in RPE.

Full-time (35 hours/week) Permanent Onsite: In central Edinburgh office Starting salary £36,978 per annum Closing date: Monday 13 April 2026 at 23:59 (BST) As Scotland’s National Academy with over 1,800 Fellows from academia, business and public service who are among the most distinguished in their fields; we engage and connect nationally and internationally to share knowledge and tackle the most pressing challenges of the modern world.

Part time (21 hours per week: Wed-Fri). Contract type: fixed term until September 2027.

Monday 9 March 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of one of the most important texts in the Scottish Enlightenment – the publication of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. © Stewart Attwood Photography 2026 To mark the occasion, the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s President, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli visited the RSE’s archive at the National Library of Scotland to read a letter written from Smith to David Hume, prior to the book’s publication.

Scotland and Malawi signed a landmark agreement in February 2026 to promote and strengthen cooperation between researchers across a diverse field of disciplines. The inaugural TAS Malawi Fellows, with Royal Society of Edinburgh representatives in Lilongwe.

Skip to main content The RSE’s Research Awards Programme opens today, providing funding opportunities for all academic disciplines across all career stages. Four different research funding opportunities are on offer, designed to enable Scotland’s academics to realise their potential, stimulate research in Scotland, and promote international collaboration. The RSE’s Research Awards programme has two calls per year in spring and autumn. The deadline for this call is noon on Wednesday, 8 April 2026.

Full-time (35 hours/week) Fixed-term contract: 12 months Hybrid working (minimum two days a week in central Edinburgh office) Starting salary £27,931 per annum Closing date: Sunday 15 March 23.59 (GMT) As Scotland’s National Academy with over 1,800 Fellows from academia, business, and public service who are among the most distinguished in their fields; we engage and connect nationally and internationally to share knowledge and tackle the most pressing challenges of the modern world.

Dr Susanna Harris, University of Glasgow RSE Personal Research Fellowship Dr Susanna Harris, RSE Personal Research Fellowship awardee at Perth Museum, Culture Perth and Kinross. Photography: © Bart Masiukiewicz. Until recently, our understanding of early Scottish history through archaeological finds has been dominated by stone and metal objects. Early Scottish textiles are very rare because the nature of organic materials makes them prone to decay, leaving little trace.

Full-time (35 hours/week) Permanent Hybrid working (minimum two days a week in central Edinburgh office) £40,617 per annum Closing date Tuesday 20 January, 11:00 (GMT) The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is Scotland’s National Academy. For over 240 years, we have advanced learning and knowledge for the benefit of society.