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Top 30 research institutes in the Rhône department

Tamtam tracks 48 research institutes headquartered in the Rhône department. This list ranks the 30 largest by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université Lumière Lyon 2 and Université Jean Moulin (Lyon III). Their median headcount is 338. Half of them were founded in 2007 or later. The most common headquarters are Lyon (17) and Villeurbanne (11).

🇫🇷 Rhône30 companiesUpdated Nov 11, 2026

The Rhône department is home to a significant concentration of research institutes, predominantly in higher education. These are mostly large public institutions, several of which were established in the early 1970s. Key players include Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, a public university specializing in sciences and medicine, and INSA Lyon, an international multidisciplinary engineering school. Cerema, a public referent for territory development, also contributes to the research landscape.

Other notable organizations are Centre Léon Bérard, a specialized cancer hospital and research center, and IARC, the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A common pattern observed is the clustering of these institutions within the cities of Lyon and Villeurbanne.

#CompanyIndustryHeadquarters EmployeesFounded
1
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1univ-lyon1.fr

Public university specializing in sciences, medicine, and pharmacy with significant research facilities and a strong regional academic presence.

Higher Education 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 4,476 1971
2
Université Lumière Lyon 2univ-lyon2.fr

Large French public university offering diverse programs from bachelor to doctorate, focusing on research, international partnerships, and societal engagement.

Higher Education 🇫🇷 Lyon 3,390 1973
3
Université Jean Moulin (Lyon III)univ-lyon3.fr

Public university offering multidisciplinary higher education and research in law, management, humanities, and social sciences with strong societal engagement.

Higher Education 🇫🇷 Lyon 2,461 1973
4
Ceremacerema.fr

Public referent for territory development, assisting government, communities, and businesses in adapting areas to climate change across six activity domains.

Government Administration 🇫🇷 Lyon 2,160 2014
5
INSA Lyon - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyoninsa-lyon.fr

International multidisciplinary engineering school focusing on high-quality education, research, and fostering global openness and social aspects in curriculum.

Higher Education 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 1,831 1957
6
Centre Léon Bérardcentreleonberard.fr

Specialized cancer hospital and research center providing personalized treatment, innovative therapies, and compassionate care to support patients throughout their illness.

Hospitals and Health Care 🇫🇷 Lyon 1,418 1923
7
École normale supérieure de Lyonens-lyon.fr

Higher education institution specializing in interdisciplinary research and training, fostering scientific excellence and social engagement in education and research.

Research Services 🇫🇷 Lyon 1,268 n/a
8
Université catholique de Lyonucly.fr

Higher education institution offering multiple faculties, advanced schools, and research centers focused on various academic disciplines and studies.

Education Administration Programs 🇫🇷 Lyon 936 1875
9
Ecole nationale des Travaux publics de l'Etatentpe.fr

Engineering and doctoral school specializing in sustainable urban development, offering bachelor, engineer, and doctoral programs along with complementary training in various fields

Higher Education 🇫🇷 Vaulx-en-Velin 522 1954
10
IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organizationwho.int

Coordinate and conduct research on cancer causes, mechanisms, prevention strategies, epidemiology, laboratory studies, and disseminate scientific information globally.

Research Services 🇫🇷 Lyon 515 1965
11
Université de Lyonuniversite-lyon.fr

Coordination of academic institutions in Lyon Saint-Étienne, supporting strategies, managing common projects, and promoting the regional academic territory.

Research Services 🇫🇷 Lyon 487 2007
12
iaelyon School of Managementiae.univ-lyon3.fr

A regionally recognized school of management offering academic excellence and professional pragmatism, preparing future managers and entrepreneurs for complex corporate environments

Higher Education 🇫🇷 Lyon 479 1956
13
Maison des Mathématiques et de l'Informatiquemmi.universite-lyon.fr

A pioneer in mediation of mathematical and computer sciences, providing interactive, multidisciplinary learning experiences through exhibitions, workshops, games, and more

Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos 🇫🇷 Lyon 469 2012
14
ECAM LaSalleecam.fr

Offers five CTI-recognized engineering programs, including generalist and specialized options, a cybersecurity bachelor's, and a continuous improvement master's, located in Lyon.

Higher Education 🇫🇷 Lyon 364 1900
15
Sciences Po Lyonsciencespo-lyon.fr

A multidisciplinary and professional education institution in Lyon offering a five-year Master's degree program with a focus on research excellence

Higher Education 🇫🇷 Lyon 338 n/a

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16
CRCL Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyoncrcl.fr

A cancer research center affiliated with various prestigious institutions, aiming to enhance international recognition, knowledge transfer to clinics and industry, and education

Research Services 🇫🇷 Lyon 309 2011
17
CIRI Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologieciri.ens-lyon.fr

The organization is dedicated to understanding and controlling infectious diseases through cutting-edge research in bacteriology, immunology, and virology

Research Services 🇫🇷 Lyon 204 2013
18
Lyon Neuroscience Research Center - CRNLcrnl.fr

Established in 2011 by INSERM, CNRS, and two universities, this center focuses on understanding brain function and disorders through multidisciplinary research and technological platforms

Think Tanks 🇫🇷 Bron 195 2011
19
SuperGrid Institutesupergrid-institute.com

Expertise in high and medium voltage direct current systems, co-developing solutions to overcome technical barriers for future energy supergrids.

Research Services 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 156 2014
20
CETIATcetiat.fr

Independent technical center providing expertise in industrial innovation for eco-energy transition, decarbonization, indoor air quality, and energy metrology from conception to market

Research Services 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 136 1960
21
Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l'Environnement de Lyon (IRCELYON)ircelyon.univ-lyon1.fr

The IRCELYON is a leading research unit in heterogeneous catalysis, focusing on sustainable development in energy, environment, and green chemistry

Think Tanks 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 104 2007
22
BIOASTERbioaster.org

Development of innovative technologies and collaborative projects to combat antimicrobial resistance, improve vaccines, and diagnose infections rapidly.

Biotechnology Research 🇫🇷 Lyon 101 2012
23
CNRS Délégation Rhône Auvergnerhone-auvergne.cnrs.fr

Research institution explores living things, matter, universe, human societies. Recognized for scientific work excellence in research and development.

Research Services 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 97 1939
24
Institut Lumière Matièreilm.univ-lyon1.fr

Researching physics and chemistry, from fundamental to innovation, across materials, soft matter, nanosciences, optics, theory, and life sciences.

Research Services 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 86 2013
25
INL - CNRSinl.cnrs.fr

A leading research unit focused on micro and nanotechnologies, conducting multidisciplinary research with applications in various economic sectors

Research Services 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 76 2007
26
INSAVALORinsavalor.fr

INSAVALOR facilitates collaboration between INSA Lyon laboratories and companies for research, technology transfer, training, and innovation projects, supported by expert teams and platforms

Research Services 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 68 1988
27
IMP Laboratoryimp-umr5223.cnrs.fr

Research unit specializing in polymer materials and engineering under CNRS, focusing on innovative research and development in the field

Research Services 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 65 n/a
28
Laboratoire RESHAPE - Research on Healthcare Performancereshapelab.fr

RESHAPE is a research unit focused on public health, healthcare performance, and patient/user journey, formed under two leading institutions

Public Health 🇫🇷 Lyon 61 n/a
29
Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et Ingénierie thérapeutique (LBTI)lbti.ibcp.fr

A leading French research laboratory specializing in studying healthy and diseased tissues, developing innovative therapeutic strategies for clinical applications

Research Services 🇫🇷 Lyon 55 2013
30
PULSALYSpulsalys.fr

Incubator and accelerator for Deep Tech innovations, transforming scientific discoveries from the University of Lyon into economic opportunities for companies and startups.

Research Services 🇫🇷 Villeurbanne 50 2013

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How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 11, 2026.

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