Yuriy S. Vasiliev graduated from Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, Hydraulic Energy Department, in 1951. He got his Doctor of Engineering Degree in 1973. From 1973 to 1999 Yuriy S. Vasiliev was the head of the Department of the Renewable Energy and Hydraulic Power Sources at Leningrad Polytechnic Institute. He is a Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Honorable Scientist of the Russian Federation (the highest scientific title in Russia), Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Member of the International Higher Education Academy of Sciences and branch-wise Academies

From 1983 to 2003 Yuriy S. Vasiliev was the Rector of the Polytechnical University (the President of the University since 1994). In October, 2003 he was chosen President of SPbSPU and Chairman of The Tutorial Counsel. In 2014 he was appointed Scientific Supervisor of SPbPU.

Yuriy S. Vasiliev is a prominent expert in the field of hydro-power engineering and environmental protection, he is the author of more than 360 scientific articles, 50 monographs and 29 inventions.

Yuriy S. Vasiliev has the government awards, twice winner of the RF President Award in the field of education, laureate of Russia State Award in science and technology, the winner of the RF Government Award in Education, the winner of the prize awarded by the Russian Academy of sciences named after G.M.Krzhizhanovsky.