What is meant when a job says PhD or equivalent required? I saw a job posting that says


  PhD or equivalent required.


What is meant by equivalent? What can be an equivalent for PhD? Expertise gained through work experience and publications?
It could also be an equivalent degree from another country. For example, a degree, equivalent of PhD, in Russia is called 'Candidate of science' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Russia)