Ismayil Aliyev was born on 27 February 1947. In 1965, he entered  Baku State University, Faculty of Chemistry, graduating with honors in 1970. The same year he started his research and teaching activity, serving as a teaching assistant, laboratory assistant, methodologist, teacher, senior teacher, associate professor and professor.

In 1994, he worked at Marmara University, Turkey, under TUBITAK-DOPROK (NATO) program, and served as a professor at Yuzuncu Yil University (Van, Turkey) from 1997 to 2000.

From 2000 to 2006, he chaired BSU Department for Master, Postgraduate and Doctoral Students, and served as vice-rector for research papers from 2006 to 2011. In 2011, he was elected head of the Department of Safety of Life Activity.

He has worked as the BSU rector`s adviser for general issues. He defended a PhD thesis in 1976, achieving a ScD degree in 1990. He was made a professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry in 1991.

He has published 212 papers, 55 articles, two textbooks, three education and two methodological handbooks, and two study programs. He is the holder of nine patents and two authorship certificates. He has supervised one PhD and five master students to completion.

He is a member of editorial staff of BSU`s Scientific Council, “Baku University News” journal, and “Journal of Qafqaz University Chemistry and Biology International”, and also sits on D 02.011 Thesis Council, Baku State University. He is also deputy chairman of Yasamal District Council of Elders.

He is the recipient of “Shohrat” Order, “Leading Education Worker” badge (2007), “Golden Pen” media award (2013), “Scientist of the Year” award given by Azerbaijani media (2013), “Shohrat” award of Azerbaijani media (2014), and certificates of recognition of the Ministry of Education and Baku State University.