St Petersburg University opens a new doctoral programme in mathematics with support of the ‘Native Towns’ corporate social responsibility project

Doctoral students will explore: the Young—Fibonacci graphs; equivalences of single-valued grammars; exponential sums in number theory; problems of exponential completeness on systems of intervals; problems of hydrodynamics in porous media; and other relevant areas of advanced mathematics, both in theoretical and applied perspectives. There is possibility to undertake international internships for early-career scientists.

Duration is four years. To gain a degree of Candidate of Physics and Mathematics, students must defend a dissertation.

The doctoral programme is offered by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at St Petersburg University. The University also offers the bachelor’s programme in Mathematics, master’s programme in Advanced Mathematics, and other areas. Educational and research projects are implemented with the support of the Gazprom Neft ‘Native Towns’ corporate social responsibility project and include joint research projects.

Stanislav Smirnov, Academic Supervisor of the Chebyshev Laboratory and the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at St Petersburg University; Professor at the University of Geneva; and Ambassador of the ‘Native Towns’ corporate social responsibility project:

‘The 300-year history of Russian science dates back to the famous Petersburg mathematicians Leonard Euler and the Bernoulli brothers. The Russian mathematical school was originally developed and gained international recognition in the second half of the 19th century. We stand on the shoulders of giants and try to continue their traditions. Both preserving continuity and constantly moving forward are essential to develop science globally. «Mathematical Progression» is a programme to ensure that the bonds between young talented people, early-career researchers, and experienced, recognised scientists help young people to develop. It provides an environment for mutual development. It is incredibly interesting for recognised scientists to work with early-career researchers who have passed the most serious selection process to be admitted to doctoral programmes. The alliance of fundamental science and high-tech business will have a long-term cumulative effect. Since 2013, over 200 of our students have gained increased scholarships; over 80 early-career scientists have completed internships in leading mathematical schools in Russia and abroad; and 30 awards in mathematics have been received by students of the Chebyshev Laboratory.’

’Mathematical Progression’ is a programme to support mathematically gifted young people within the ‘school — university — research centre’ scheme in partnership with the Chebyshev Laboratory at St Petersburg University.

Aleksander Dybal, a member of the at Gazprom Neft Management Board:

Established in 2012, the Native Towns is a corporate social responsibility project of Gazprom Neft. It aims to improve the quality of life in the regions where the company operates in Russia and abroad by supporting the initiatives of local communities and its own projects in culture, education, sports, and the development of creative industries. The programme is running a number of long-term environmental projects.

’The new doctoral programme is the final stage of education in mathematics. Since 2013, we and a world’s leading mathematician Stanislav Smirnov have been consistently creating a complete system of education in mathematics. We have logically completed following the path to develop Russian mathematical talents. The programme of support for talented youth «Mathematical Progression» covers all levels of education: from general secondary education to postdoctoral studies. Gifted school students from Russian regions can come into the spotlight in math camps and at olympiads. Then they can continue their studies at the University on the undergraduate and graduate programmes at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. We support early-career scientists and well-established teams with grants and targeted research funding. A number of research developments are carried out in partnership with the Gazprom Neft Science and Technology Centre. Aleksandr Logunov, a participant of the «Mathematical Progression» programme and a graduate of St Petersburg University, has won the Clay Research Award by the Clay Mathematics Institute It is the second most important mathematical award after the Fields Medal.

Konstantin Kalinin, a doctoral student at the University:

’I was impressed by a range of disciplines and a possibility to have a tailor-made learning path. The average scores gained by the admitted students are very motivating. The programme has the best of the best. Collaboration with the largest companies is very tempting. Among them are Gazprom Neft, Yandex, JetBrains. I see doctoral studies primarily as a powerful launching platform to structure your knowledge, gain new insights, and meet renowned specialists in my and related fields. Fundamental science is fascinating as it is full of unexpected discoveries and incredibly beautiful theories. Doctoral studies open the door to "big science’’.’

To mark the opening of the doctoral programme, the ‘Native Towns’ corporate social responsibility project launched a video podcast. The guest of the first episode was Stanislav Smirnov, a Fields medallist, who supervises research at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at St Petersburg University and initiated the opening of the doctoral programme.