List of candidates meeting the qualification requirements for the position of Director of State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre:
1. Zigmantas Gudžinskas, Dr. in Natural Sciences
Summary of the guidelines for activities of State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre for 2026–2031:
During the period 2026–2031, the State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre will establish itself as an internationally recognized scientific institution with an impeccable reputation, conducting fundamental and applied research on living and non-living nature. The Centre will ensure the collection, accumulation, storage, and analysis of nationally and internationally important information on the biological diversity of Lithuania and other regions at various levels. Science-based knowledge is an integral part of the country’s culture, contributing to the creation of public welfare, economic development, and national security.
The Centre’s activities will be based on the principles of academic professionalism and integrity, initiative, creativity, and humanism. The Centre, as an institution, and its researchers will take responsibility for the quality, transparency, objectivity, and scientific validity of their decisions and the information they disseminate.
The Centre must become the country’s most important knowledge-generating institution providing reliable information, conclusions, and forecasts on all issues related to biodiversity and environmental protection, natural resources, and climate change to state institutions that shape policy and make decisions important to the state, society, and internationally. The Centre will seek innovative solutions that can contribute to the country’s economic growth, social welfare, and national security.
Strategic goals can only be achieved with a harmonious team of proactive, creative, and responsible scientists, researchers, and specialists who are able to continuously improve and pursue academic careers. The Centre will strive to create a community based on the principles of equal opportunities, tolerance, ethics, humanism, and moral values.
2. Andrius Kučas, Dr. in Natural Sciences
Summary of the guidelines for activities of State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre for 2026–2031:
The Nature Research Centre bases its activities on the premise that nature is a public good, the management of which requires a focused, data- and science-based approach. As the owner of this asset, the state must make decisions that are oriented towards long-term public benefit, rather than procedural regulation alone. The purpose of the Centre is to ensure that decisions on nature, the environment, biodiversity, and climate change are based on reliable data, consistent monitoring, and independent scientific analysis.
The Centre acts as a national scientific competence institution responsible for fundamental and applied research into living and non-living nature, long-term monitoring programmes, data collection, and analysis. Its role is to provide science-based support to decision-makers, while maintaining a clear and principled separation between science and politics. This independence is essential for the credibility of the Centre, long-term national planning, and the implementation of international commitments.
The Centre’s activities are organized as a continuous value chain – from data collection, storage, and analysis to the transfer of scientific conclusions and recommendations to state institutions. Long-term data, monitoring systems, and scientific collections are considered strategic national assets that form the basis for reliable decisions and enable the assessment of the impact of both planned and already implemented policy measures.
The Centre’s scientific activities are focused on research that has clear applicability in public policy and practical solutions. An interdisciplinary approach, encompassing biology, ecology, geology, climate science, and data analysis, allows for a comprehensive assessment of complex problems and the creation of a reliable decision support system. Ex ante and ex post analyses ensure continuous feedback between science and policy and improve the quality of decisions.
The Centre aims to strengthen cooperation between the state and business by creating conditions for the application and commercialization of scientific results, especially in the early stages of innovation. Consistent governmental policy and clear signals regarding the application of scientific solutions reduce business risk and encourage private investment, without distorting the competitive environment.
The organizational structure of the Centre is based on the principles of efficiency and flexibility. Priority is given to core scientific and analytical functions, strengthening human resources, career opportunities, attracting young scientists, and international cooperation. Financial and institutional sustainability is ensured through a balanced funding model, integrated risk management, and consistent investment in scientific infrastructure.
During the period 2026–2031, the Nature Research Centre will be targeted at being developed a highly reputable, internationally recognized national centre of scientific excellence whose mission is to generate, analyze, and disseminate independent, data-driven knowledge. This knowledge strengthens the state’s ability to make informed decisions, creates long-term benefits for society, and ensures the responsible management of Lithuania’s natural resources.
3. Sigitas Podėnas, Dr. in Natural Sciences
Summary of the guidelines for activities of State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre for 2026–2031:
Science for decision support. The Centre acts as a domestic scientific service unit for the government, providing policymakers and decision-makers with data-driven conclusions and recommendations on all issues related to environmental protection, natural resources, and climate change.
The Centre’s activities are based on the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, linking scientific research with the needs of decision-makers, institutions, and society in order to have a real impact on environmental policy.
The Centre develops innovative solutions and focuses its activities on clear results – a real positive impact on public policy, social welfare, and national security.
An internationally recognized centre of scientific excellence conducting fundamental and applied research in the fields of living and non-living nature. Using the latest technologies, the Centre ensures academic excellence and the possibility of applying scientific achievements in everyday life.
The Centre’s community acts as a reliable partner to the state, society, business, and foreign partners, ensuring the highest standards of scientific ethics, professionalism, transparency, responsibility, and quality.
The people: scientists, researchers, and specialists are the Centre’s main asset. Human resources policy is one of the most important strategic directions. A working environment that encourages professionalism, creativity, and long-term careers in science is of crucial importance. Focus is put on young scientists, on attracting new talents, and on retaining existing specialists.
An open, transparent organizational culture based on the principles of equal opportunities, ethics, and respect, continuous professional development, and the opportunity to pursue academic excellence.
4. Edita Sužiedėlienė, Dr. in Natural Sciences
Summary of the guidelines for activities of State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre for 2026–2031:
The State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre (hereinafter referred to as the “Centre”, or “NRC”) occupies a significant place in Lithuania’s science and innovation ecosystem. It is one of the largest research institutes in the country and, at the same time, an internationally recognized and unique expert institution in the field of natural research, integrating biology, botany, ecology and environmental science, geology, geography, zoology, and other scientific disciplines and fields. The Centre creates and applies knowledge, develops science-based solutions to address challenges related to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, climate change, and sustainable resource use. The Centre trains and educates highly qualified scientists and specialists in the field of natural sciences, and also contributes significantly to public education and the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
In 2026–2030, the Centre will seek to consolidate its role as the country’s leading natural science research centre and become a leading regional and internationally recognised scientific institution that shapes progress in the natural sciences, generates scientific knowledge and knowledge-based solutions that contribute to environmental conservation, climate change management, and sustainable economic development.
The mission of the Centre is to contribute to the creation of global scientific knowledge and evidence-based solutions that meet the needs of society, ensure the country’s sustainable development, competitiveness, and resilience to global challenges.
The Centre’s vision is to become a regional leader and an internationally recognized centre for natural science research.
The guidelines outline the Centre’s vision and strategic directions, objectives, tasks, implementation measures, and desired changes for the next five years (2026–2030), formulated on the basis of analysis of the Centre’s activities and results, internal and external conditions, and new challenges affecting the development of the science and innovation environment.
The scope of fundamental and applied research in natural sciences carried out at the Centre, its international recognition, unique scientific expertise, developed information structure for biodiversity data, and consolidated expert potential form a solid foundation for the further qualitative development of the institution. The research and experimental development trends developed by the Centre respond to national and European Union strategic objectives in addressing the challenges of nature conservation, biodiversity preservation, climate change, and sustainable use of resources, implementing the country’s long-term policy priorities in science, technology, and innovation, and are closely linked to the priorities of the Lithuanian Government’s programme and the tasks set for environmental protection and a faster transition to the circular economy. In implementing the institution’s development vision, it will be important to take into account technological progress and its impact on natural science research, the growing need for interdisciplinary and intersectoral synergies for the creation of innovative science-based solutions, increasing competition for talent and scientific resources, and the challenges of a changing geopolitical environment.
In the period 2026–2030, the main focus will be on the development of international-level R&D&I, the development of highly qualified scientific personnel, the development of advanced scientific infrastructure, the strengthening of cooperation between the scientific, business and public sectors, and the creation of a strong and empowered community and effectively functioning organizations.
Strategic directions for the development of the Centre’s activities (2026–2030):
- Improving the quality and impact of science. Priority will be given to improving the quality of research conducted at the Centre and the impact of its results, strengthening the Centre’s scientific potential and competitiveness on an international scale. High-level R&D&I activities will be promoted by strengthening the Centre’s research groups and researchers’ competencies; attracting and training talented researchers; developing advanced research infrastructure; and creating an open international research environment.
- Value-creating partnerships. Productive cooperation with partners in science, business, and the public sector will be developed in a targeted manner at both national and international levels in order to exploit and strengthen the Centre’s scientific potential and increase the socio-economic impact of the knowledge and services it creates. This will be achieved by developing strategic partnerships with participants in the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem, strengthening knowledge and technology transfer competencies, and promoting expert activities and dissemination of results at national and international levels.
III. Strong community. Greater attention will be paid to the institution’s community in order to make the Centre an attractive place to create and develop. A culture of openness, trust, and cooperation will be strengthened; motivating conditions for career and professional growth will be created; and the Centre’s institutional identity and image will be strengthened.
- Effective management of the organization. Effective management of the institution will be pursued by improving strategic planning and quality management of activities; strengthening financial sustainability by ensuring stable and diversified sources of funding; upgrading the Centre’s infrastructure and increasing its efficiency of use; improving the management of institutional processes.
It is expected that the Centre’s 2026–2030 guidelines and proposed strategic priorities will enable it to pursue ambitious goals in a focused manner, the achievement of which would contribute significantly to the development of a smart institution and its contribution to the global creation of scientific knowledge and innovation, and to solving the challenges of climate change, natural resource conservation, and environmental quality that arise in the development of society and the economy.
