Rename academic pdf

Is it possible to rename an academic pdf file I've downloaded that is saved with a random file name like, "ddd123", to the last name of the first author and the publication year?

You'll need to check the file's metadata to see if it's available to Spotlight (and therefor Hazel). If you select the file in Finder and do "Get Info", check the "More info" section to see if it appears there.