One of the reasons for Russia’s defeat in the 1905 war with Japan was the poor quality of artillery shells. Two years before the outbreak of World War I, the War Ministry of the Russian Empire addressed the problem by establishing the Central Scientific and Technical Laboratory under the Main Artillery Directorate. Today, it is the Mendeleev Central Research Institute of Materials (CNIIM). The creator of the periodic system of chemical elements, Dmitri Mendeleev, initiated its establishment and, more broadly, promoted fundamental scientific research aimed at strengthening the army’s technical capabilities.
During the Great Patriotic War, the institute’s scientists made significant discoveries in military metallurgy, for which the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded the institution the Order of Lenin. Today, CNIIM is one of the country’s leading materials science centres. It develops and manufactures high-tech products in small batches. These include high-grade steels and alloys, polymer and ceramic composites, ultra-hard diamond–silicon carbide materials, as well as research aimed at improving the quality and structural strength of thick-walled metallurgical pipes and electroplated coatings, and springs made from heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials. Other priorities include the development of nanomaterials for electronics, information technology, energy, mechanical engineering, biology, medicine, and environmental applications.
CNIIM is a participant in the national project “New Materials and Chemistry.” Speaking at the AMTEXPO-2026 Forum, Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, noted that “any technological innovations today are associated with certain properties of materials” and that “the ability of a state to provide itself with these materials is a fundamental prerequisite, first for technological sovereignty and then for leadership”.
Company Profile
Name: JSC “D.I. Mendeleev Central Research Institute of Materials.”
Main area of activity: development and implementation of special-purpose materials with unique properties.
Geographical presence: Russian Federation.
Average number of employees: more than 600.
The institute successfully tackles complex and large-scale challenges thanks to its team of outstanding scientists and engineers. The foundation of its personnel policy is cooperation with specialized universities. Since 2025, cooperation with Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University has been based on an academic partnership agreement. This format provides for continuous and close interaction, ranging from jointly developing topics for students’ graduation theses and the participation of institute representatives in their defence to conducting research projects.
In an interview with Forpost, Elena Ivanova, General Director of CNIIM and Candidate of Technical Sciences, spoke about the advantages of close university–industry cooperation, as well as the institute’s requirements for young specialists and their working conditions.
- Elena Sergeyevna, the new educational model being implemented by Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University as part of the presidential pilot project provides for longer industrial internships and, more broadly, a systematic approach to cooperation with academic partners. What are the benefits of this new partnership format?
- We are following the pilot project to improve the higher education system with great interest. And this is by no means an abstract interest: our institute faces complex scientific and applied challenges that require employees to possess broad competencies in various fields — chemistry, physics, metallurgy, and materials science — as well as practical skills and the ability to think broadly, creatively, and unconventionally.
The educational model proposed by Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University is particularly interesting because of its new approach to the best traditional educational methods, taking modern technologies into account. We fully support the Mining University’s leadership in providing students with additional professional competencies and working professions, as well as increasing the number of hours devoted to practical training at industrial enterprises. In this way, future engineers leave their alma mater with real-world experience in applying the knowledge they have acquired and the competencies they have developed.
-What types of internships do Mining University students from different years undertake at the enterprise, and what positions do the interns work in?
-Senior students undertake industrial and pre-graduation internships in both the institute’s research and production divisions. All CNIIM laboratories and production workshops are fully equipped and meet all modern requirements, enabling interns to gain valuable experience working with unique high-performance instruments and equipment.
For example, students conduct comprehensive material testing using analytical equipment, including developing and implementing research plans and fully interpreting the results obtained. It is worth noting that interns often perform their work not only according to standard methods, but also propose their own approaches and solutions for non-standard cases. And this practice is producing tangible results: upon completion of their internships, all students received positive evaluations from their mentors. We now look forward to our interns returning after completing their studies, this time as full-fledged members of the CNIIM research team.
- In what ways does the institute cooperate with Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University beyond industrial internships?
- CNIIM works closely with the Mining University as part of targeted training programmes. This enables us to train specialists in areas that are relevant to our needs, while also getting to know our future colleagues in advance. CNIIM specialists participate in selecting topics for the term papers and diploma theses of future graduates, and are present at their defense.
-How important is it for a future engineer to acquire several working professions during their university studies?
- The competencies acquired through training in working professions enable graduates to integrate into production processes more quickly.
Moreover, since CNIIM develops and implements innovative materials for Russian research and industrial enterprises, it is deeply integrated into complex production chains. It is important that communication with partners and customers is always effective, since the institute provides support for the implementation of its developments and conducts design supervision. Additional competencies enable young engineers to communicate on equal terms with colleagues in both skilled trades and engineering positions.
- Which working professions would be desirable for a young engineer joining CNIIM?
- Given the specifics of CNIIM’s activities, it would be preferable for an employment candidate to have working qualifications related to metallurgy, materials science, composite and ceramic materials, welding and plasma technologies, and the use of CAD software.
- What competencies do you expect from young specialists above all, and what is the optimal balance between specialized competencies, soft skills, and innovative problem-solving?
-First and foremost, of course, they need to have professional competencies in their core field. But it is also very important to be able to continuously develop their skills and improve their professional qualifications. Perhaps the key skill for a scientist or engineer today is the ability to keep learning continuously — this is the new reality.
The institute understands this better than most: we pay particular attention to the professional development of our employees. Every year, CNIIM specialists participate in professional development and retraining programmes, attend courses, educational seminars, and conferences.
And, of course, specialists who create new materials and technologies need a certain degree of creativity and an innovative approach, without which it is impossible to develop innovative products.
- How severe is the current shortage of engineering personnel? How in demand are engineer-researchers today, and what is the need for technological innovation?
- It must be acknowledged that there is a certain shortage of engineering personnel in the industry. CNIIM also needs engineers. We need specialists who not only have an excellent command of their profession, but also possess sufficient qualifications to analyse alternative approaches to solving the tasks at hand and even, potentially, anticipate the further development of the field in which a product or technology is manufactured and applied.
Today, Russia is facing intensifying sanctions pressure and a disruption of academic and technological ties. There is an urgent need to seek alternative engineering solutions and conduct in-depth independent research. Therefore, it is now critically important for university graduates to possess research competencies, as well as competencies in developing new technologies and products.
- What is the starting average salary of a young specialist at the institute? Are you prepared to employ final-year students as trainee engineers, and what would their level of remuneration be?
- The salary of a young specialist at CNIIM starts at 80,000 rubles. In addition, the institute has various social programmes, and young specialists may receive a payment upon the birth of a child, an additional allowance for an academic degree, and bonuses for individual achievements in science and sports. Taking all additional payments into account, the income can reach approximately 100,000 rubles per month — this is the starting level upon employment.
We are also prepared to employ senior students as technicians and laboratory assistants, with remuneration of approximately 55,000 rubles.
- What social benefits are provided in addition to those mentioned? Are there programmes for the adaptation and professional development of young specialists?
- As we have already mentioned, the Central Research Institute of Materials attaches great importance to preserving and developing its human resources. Therefore, the enterprise’s social policy is generally aimed at creating the most favourable conditions possible. CNIIM has a collective agreement, a voluntary health insurance (VHI) programme, and corporate social programmes (CSPs).
A young specialist can expect additional monthly payments of up to 8,000 rubles, as well as various forms of financial assistance. CSPs also include partial compensation for food expenses, sports activities, health and wellness programmes, and holidays. An important measure of support for young specialists is the opportunity to undertake professional development at the employer’s expense. In addition, the enterprise has a well-established mentoring system, in which experienced specialists assist young employees and pass on their accumulated unique knowledge and skills.