Credential Templates, The Former USSR and the Russian Federation

Placement Recommendations:
NOOSR 2005 (Australia)
Comparable to the educational level of an Australian Doctoral Degree.
IERF 2004 (USA)
Postdoctoral study.
IQAS Recommendations for:
Employment
The Doctor of Sciences represents post-doctoral advanced research that includes refereed
publications. The research represents a significant contribution to the field of study and can only
be assessed by an expert in the field.
Post-secondary Admission
The Doctor of Sciences represents post-doctoral advanced research that includes refereed
publications. The research represents a significant contribution to the field of study and can only
be assessed by an expert in the field.
IQAS Rationale:
Doctor of Sciences in the Former USSR:
The Doctor of Sciences was the highest academic credential in the former USSR. Highly
research oriented, it was obtained by senior scholars. The primarily objective of the doktorantura
was to develop a publication track record and facilitate faculty promotion. The Doctor of Science
entitled its holder to obtain the position of a full Professor or department head at an institution of
higher education. The Doctor of Sciences is determined by a secret ballot by peers and approved
by the Supreme Certifying Commission (VAK).
To be eligible for admission, a candidate must have held the Candidate of Sciences, met
research requirements, and been under 40 years of age. The Doctor of Sciences required the
submission of another thesis after the Candidate of Sciences. The Doctor of Sciences thesis must
have represented a piece of original research with results of fundamental scientific or applied
significance. Publication of 10 to 20 scientific papers was required.
Although extremely rarely, the Doctor of Sciences could have been awarded immediately
after the Candidate of Sciences if the research was of appropriately high standard.
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