Research Professors

The purpose of electing a Research Professor of the Academy is to enable a researcher who is employed at an Estonian research and development institution or university with a workload of at least 50% to devote themselves, together with their research group, to the implementation of the submitted work plan.

A Research Professor of the Estonian Academy of Sciences is an internationally recognised top-level researcher in their field who, on the basis of their work plan and the contract concluded with the Academy, carries out research and scholarly studies.

The number of Research Professor positions, possible thematic focus areas, the period of appointment, and remuneration are decided by the Executive Board of the Academy.

The Academy concludes a tripartite contract with the researcher elected as Research Professor and the research and development institution that establishes the Research Professor position. In the case of theme-based Academy Professors, a quadripartite contract is concluded, involving the funder of the theme.

The Research Professor grant is generally EUR 70,000 per year. Institutions are not permitted to use this funding to cover overhead costs.

Each year, the Academy organises a Research Professors’ Conference, where Research Professors present the results of their research work.

The General Assembly of the Academy approved the new Statute of Research Professor of the Academy of Sciences (in Estonian) on December 3, 2025.

For the first time Research Professors were elected in 2002. Since then, the Estonian Academy of Sciences has announced a competition for the position of Research Professor every three years and each time has elected three Researcher Professors for a three-year term.

2025–2027

Senior Research Fellow at National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics Gert Hütsi

Tenured Associate Professor, Head of Laboratory of Biopolymer Technology at Tallinn University of Technology Andres Krumme

Professor of Human Geography at Tallinn University Hannes Palang

2024–2026

Research Professorship in Artificial Intelligence in Artifical Intelligence

Research group of Meelis Kull, Associate Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Tartu

2024–2026

Research Professor of Estonian Language and its Teaching

Birute Klaas-Lang, Professor of Estonian as a Foreign Language at the University of Tartu

2023–2024

Research Professor in Arctic Studies

Professor of Environmental Physics at the University of Tartu Heikki Junninen

Professor Lauri Laanisto, Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Tourism, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Agriculture and the Environment, Estonia

2023–2024

Research Professorship in Russian Studies

Andrey Makarychev, Professor of Regional Policy Studies, University of Tartu

2023–2024

Birute Klaas-Lang, Professor of Estonian as a Foreign Language, University of Tartu

2022–2023

Research Professorships in Arctic Studies

Professor Lauri Laanisto Research Group, Estonian University of Life Sciences

Associate Professor of Ethnology Aimar Ventsel's research group, University of Tartu

2022–2024

Professor of Taltech Tõnis Kanger.

Professor of Urban and Population Geography, University of Tartu Tiit Tammaru.

Professor in the technology of antimicrobial compounds, Universitu of Tartu Tanel Tenson.

2019–2021

Professor of Applied Virology, University of Tartu Institute of Technology Andres Merits.

Research Professor of Taltech, Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics Dmitri Vinnikov.

Research Professor of National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics Toomas Rõõm.

2016–2018

Research Professor of the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics Anne Kahru.

Professor of Ragnar Nurkse School of Innovation and Governance at Tallinn University of Technology Rainer Kattel.

Leading Researcher of the Institute of Physics at the University of Tartu Kaupo Kukli.

2013–2015

Professor of the University of Tartu Rein Ahas.

Senior Researcher of the University of Tartu Anu Realo.

Professor of Tallinn University of Technology Tõnis Timmusk.

2009–2011

Professor of the University of Tartu Pärt Peterson.

Senior Research Scientist of the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics Martti Raidal.

Senior Research Scientist of the Estonian University of Life Sciences Tiina Nõges.

2006–2008

Extraordinary Professor of the University of Tartu, Member of Academy Ilmar Koppel.

Leading Research Scientist of Tallinn University of Technology Malle Krunks.

Professor of the Estonian University of Life Sciences Ülo Niinemets.

RESEARCH PROFESSORS 2003–2007

Professor of the University of Tartu, Member of Academy Agu Laisk.

Professor of Tallinn University of Technology, Member of Academy Raimund-Johannes Ubar.

Senior Research Scientist of the University of Tartu Asko Uri.