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International Postdoctoral Research Program (IPRP)

Welcome to IPRP, the International Postdoctoral Research Program of Saint Petersburg University of Science and Technology — the unifying framework for all postdoctoral activity at our University!

Designed to connect talented international researchers with our vibrant research groups, IPRP offers two flexible pathways into the program: proposing and designing your own research project, or joining a predefined position. Whichever route suits you best, IPRP provides a clear, professional framework for your research growth.

The International Postdoctoral Research Program (IPRP) is the official name and unifying framework for all postdoctoral activity at SPBUNI. IPRP aims to attract talented international researchers, strengthen cross-border scientific collaboration, and provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge and research experience between the University and the global scientific community.

IPRP is built on two admission models, offering flexibility to both the University and prospective researchers:

  • Self-Proposed Program: the researcher develops their own research proposal and independently identifies a qualified University Supervisor.
  • Vacancy-Based Program: a predefined, funded project is announced by the University or a supervisor and openly advertised.

At present, only the Self-Proposed pathway is active at the University. Details of each pathway are provided on the «Research Opportunities» Section.

Program Structure

The operational structure of IPRP rests on five main pillars:

  • Formal appointment: every postdoctoral position is defined through a formal, fixed-term employment contract with the University, not academic enrollment.
  • Supervisor and host faculty: each researcher must have a qualified University Supervisor and a designated host faculty.
  • Four progressive stages: the program is structured across four sequential stages with gradually increasing independence and responsibility.
  • Continuous monitoring and evaluation: a 6-month progress report and an annual review by the Evaluation Committee.
  • Certificate of completion: at the end of each stage, a formal certificate (not an academic degree) is issued.

The complete structure is set out in the official standard document («Regulations & Documents,» Doc. No. PD-STD-01).

Four Program Stages

IPRP is structured across four sequential stages, each representing a distinct level of research independence and expected scholarly output:

 

Stage Duration Title
Stage I 12 months Postdoctoral Researcher
Stage II 24 months Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Stage III Up to 36 months Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Stage IV 48–60 months Extended Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Progression from one stage to the next requires a positive annual review, achievement of the minimum research output for the current stage, and written confirmation from the University Supervisor. The cumulative cap for time in the program (Stages I–IV combined) is 60 months (5 years).

Research Areas

Depending on their area of specialization, postdoctoral researchers may select one of the following faculties as their host unit:

  • Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science
  • Faculty of Business and Management
  • Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
  • Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Digital Arts and Sciences
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Technical Sciences and Engineering
  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
  • Faculty of Agriculture and Biosciences

A full list of each faculty’s active research areas is available on that faculty’s dedicated page under «Faculties and Departments.»

Research Opportunities

IPRP welcomes postdoctoral researchers through two pathways. The table below summarizes the difference between them:

Feature Current Vacancies Self-Proposed Research
Announcement Publicly advertised by the University Individually proposed by the candidate
Who defines the project University / Supervisor The candidate
Current status at SPBUNI Inactive — no vacancies currently available Active — primary admission pathway
Funding Pre-allocated Typically from the supervisor’s grant

For full details of each pathway, see the two sub-pages: «Current Postdoctoral Vacancies» and «Open Postdoctoral Research.»

Supervisors & Research Groups

Every postdoctoral researcher must have a qualified University Supervisor. A supervisor must simultaneously meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a Ph.D. or a recognized international equivalent.
  • Hold a formal faculty appointment of at least Assistant Professor rank with a minimum of 3 years at that rank.
  • Hold an active, funded research grant.
  • Have published at least 5 articles in indexed journals over the past 5 years.
  • Not concurrently supervise more than 3 postdoctoral researchers.

To find a suitable research group, see «Research Areas» and each faculty’s dedicated page.

Postdoctoral Researchers

This part is dedicated to introducing the community of active postdoctoral researchers at SPBUNI, and will be progressively updated with information on current program participants.

The main rights and responsibilities of postdoctoral researchers include:

  • At least 90% of working time must be devoted directly to executing the approved research plan.
  • A maximum teaching load of 3 to 6 hours per week, subject to the supervisor’s written approval.
  • Participation in a minimum of 20 hours of Research Training per year.
  • Submission of a 6-month progress report and participation in the annual review.
Research Training

Postdoctoral researchers are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development activities per year. These include topics such as:

  • Scientific writing and manuscript preparation for publication
  • Research ethics and scientific integrity
  • Grant proposal writing and research funding acquisition
  • Advanced statistics and data analysis methods

Completion of these hours is a formal requirement for the issuance of the «Certificate & Academic Record» at the end of each stage, but does not constitute academic credit.

Certificate & Academic Record

At the conclusion of each stage, a qualifying researcher receives a «Certificate of Postdoctoral Research Experience» corresponding to that stage. The certificate includes the stage title, the exact duration of the appointment, the project title, the supervisor’s name, and a summary of research output.

In addition to the certificate, an Academic Record is maintained for each researcher, summarizing research activities, publications, presentations, and Research Training hours completed throughout their time in IPRP.

Neither the certificate nor the academic record constitutes an academic degree, and neither is equivalent to any formal degree level.

Regulations & Documents

The complete legal and operational framework of IPRP is set out in the official «Postdoctoral Research Program Standard» (Doc. No. PD-STD-01), which is the basis for all admission, monitoring, and certification decisions.

The program operates within the framework of the following regulations:

  • Federal Law No. 273-FZ «On Education in the Russian Federation»
  • The Labor Code of the Russian Federation — governing employment contracts
  • The migration laws of the Russian Federation — for international researchers

Downloadable documents (application form, research proposal template, sample contract) will be made available on this page shortly.

Your Research. Your Next Horizon.

The next great contribution to your field may begin with a new research environment, a new collaboration, and a new opportunity to turn ideas into meaningful results.

The International Postdoctoral Research Program offers a platform for ambitious researchers to deepen their expertise, expand their academic network, develop independent research capacity, and pursue new scientific possibilities in an international environment.

If you are ready to take the next step in your research career, we invite you to explore the Program and submit your application.

Bring your ideas. Advance your research. Expand your horizons.

Your next chapter in research could begin here.

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