The article deals with the formation of research skills of subjects of postgraduate education. The purpose of the study is to provide theoretical justification and methodological support for the process of forming research skills of subjects of postgraduate education as a readiness to implement high-quality research activities. The theoretical foundations of the formation of research skills of subjects of postgraduate education are revealed. The criteria and indicators are defined: motivational (understanding of the value of research, interest, desire to perform research activities); cognitive (knowledge of methodology, methods of scientific research and the logic of research construction), activity (operational and design skills), communicative (ability to work in a team for successful research; ability to present research results) and levels of formation of research skills (situational-intuitive, normative-reproductive, creative-intellectual). The program of diagnostics of the level of formation of research skills of subjects of postgraduate education is presented. A program of elective disciplines has been developed, with continuity of learning outcomes at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, contributing to the purposeful formation of research skills.