The resource centres are essential constituents of research infrastructure (the Research Park) at St Petersburg University. The first centres were established as long ago as 2010, and since then creation of the new ones has never ended. The centres possess unique cutting-edge equipment that enables innovations in research and educational programs. They generate intellectual and creative potential of the University, fuel SPbU's scientific and technological development, and foster its socio-economic growth. The resource centres contribute to the goals of SPbU Strategic Plan 2020 aimed at making SPbU one of the world's leading classical universities and providing academic and scientific support of the state policy of Russia's innovative development.
The outstanding intellectual and academic environment of the oldest Russian university serves the basis for the 26 resource centres that are now an integral part of the SPbU Research Park. The centres employ the experience, knowledge and research achievements of the previous generations. Each center covers a research area related to one of the four priority spheres which define the common strategy of the University's research.
SPbU resource centres target the following priority spheres:
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
- Biomedicine and Human Health
- Information Systems and Technology
- Ecology and Nature Management
Fourteen resource centres are working in the area of Nanotechnology and Materials Science:
- Magnetic Resonance Research Centre
- Centre for X-ray Diffraction Studies
- Chemical Analysis and Materials Research Centre
- Centre for Optical and Laser Materials Research
- Centre for Physical Methods of Surface Investigation
- Centre for Thermogravimetric and Calorimetric Research
- Centre for Nanofabrication of Photoactive Materials
- Centre for Innovative Technologies of Composite Nanomaterials
- Interdisciplinary Resource Centre for Nanotechnology
- Physics Educational Centre
- Chemistry Educational Centre
- Centre for Applied Aerodynamics
- Resource Centre “Neutron Physics – Neutron Research”
- Centre for Extreme States of Materials and Constructions
Seven resource centers are working in the area of Biomedicine and Human Health:
- Centre Biobank
- Centre for Diagnostics of Functional Materials for Medicine, Pharmacology and Nanoelectronics
- Centre for Molecular and Cell Technologies
- Centre for Culture Collection of Microorganisms
- Chromas Core Facility
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis
- The center of medical accreditations
Three resource centres are working in the area of Ecology and Nature Management:
- Environmental Safety Observatory
- Centre for Space and Geoinformation Technologies
- Centre for Geo-Environmental Research and Modelling (GEOMODEL)
Two resource centres are working in the area of Information Systems and Technology: