ITMO Authors

CoLab: a social network for Russian scientists

2025-07-22 18:03
CoLab.ws is a platform for scientific communication created by students of the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University to unite scientists, students and investors involved in Russian science..
The idea for the project was born in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Young scientists were isolated from their habitual communication with each other while urgent tasks remained on the agenda: to assemble a scientific group, choose an academic advisor, learn about laboratories, equipment, and potential employees.
Later, the platform included personal user pages, news about upcoming conferences, and a section with vacancies from various scientific institutions.. Thus, CoLab became an academic social network. According to its founders, the user's personal page works as a CV, and the platform has become a multifunctional communication center for all those involved in research activities.
Currently, the platform unites 169 laboratories from 80 institutions in 32 cities, as well as more than 1,500 registered users.
Scientists address to CoLab to:
  • find a lab;
  • share equipment;
  • agree on collaborations;
  • get scientometric data of scientists and institutions;
  • learn about events in their areas.

Can I search for articles on the platform?

Use the corresponding tab on the main page or refer to a direct link.
A standard set of filters will help you to specify your request. You can search for scientific information by the article title, DOI or the author's last name.

Do I have to register?

Registration is not required. You can log in using ORCID or the phone number linked to Telegram.
Then you can create a scientist profile, which allows you to receive personal recommendations for conferences, articles, and profiles of colleagues with similar scientific interests.
When your profile is registered, get Colab ID, which will become your universal search marker in the system.

Institution profile

The «Institutions» section contains profiles of universities and laboratories. Scientometric indicators provide its total number of publications, citations and Hirsch Index.
Institutions from 20 countries are represented on the platform. Their locations can be seen on the map.

Scientists' Profiles

You can find your co-authors for future scientific papers in the “Scientists” section of the Colab system. Users leave a notice on their pages if they are ready to become an academic advisor or are looking for collaboration.
The scientist's profile provides information about the researcher and about theircited and citing works. In the "Statistics", the data is visualized in the form of infographics.

Conferences

Colab also publishes information about conferences on various scientific topics.
The conference card contains requirements for participants, a roadmap and shows the location of the host institution on the map..

Announcement

The "Announcements" section is mainly intended for searching for equipment, consumables, reagents for experiments, and offers for their paid or free rent. However, you can also offer your services for translation, editing, or any other professional assistance to scientific work.
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