Find out more about becoming an employee of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Search our jobs based in locations including Cambridge, London, Beijing, Washington and Bangalore as well as others, look at employee profiles and find out more about our benefits.
Work for the world's leading chemistry community and have the opportunity to advance excellence in the chemical sciences working on a not for profit basis. Keep up to date with the latest research and scientific innovation without working in a lab. We have opportunities in a number of areas including but not limited to: publishing, membership, finance, marketing, IT, sales and administration.
Our employees cite 'the people' as the best thing about working for us.
Rowan in Book Publishing
I’m writing this on a plane to San Diego, on the way to one of the world’s largest toxicology conferences. While I’m there, I’ll hopefully meet some scientists, sell and commission some books, and find out what’s hot in toxicology.
The variety of activities my colleagues across the organisation get up to makes it a fascinating place to be, and I feel privileged to work in such a friendly environment.
I joined the RSC in 2011 as a trainee Publishing Editor. I enjoyed the responsibility of acting as the office contact for some of the journals’ external Associate Editors which encouraged me to apply for more external-facing roles at the RSC. Next, as a Development Editor, helping develop the RSC’s physical chemistry journals’ impact and strategy, I cultivated many of the skills necessary for my current role. Now I’m responsible for developing the RSC’s books publishing output within the life sciences. This involves working with the Editorial Boards of the five series of books I co-ordinate, talking to the scientific community about topics we should cover, finding authors and editors for our books and supporting them in their roles, conducting peer review for submitted book proposals, writing back cover copy for books, and much more. The small size of the books team means I get to be involved in many different tasks and I feel there’s still so much for me to learn.
I’m proud to represent the RSC whenever I go out of the office and I like being a part of an organisation that supports the scientific community. The variety of activities my colleagues across the organisation get up to makes it a fascinating place to be, and I feel privileged to work in such a friendly environment. The sociability of the place definitely extends outside of work and I’ve got to know many work friends on the squash court attempting to defend my position in the RSC’s own squash league!
Philippa in Publishing
After graduating from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Medical Biochemistry, I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do next. I'd never really considered a career in publishing before but it appealed to me as it would give me the chance to use my degree and keep up with the latest scientific developments, without the dreaded lab work!
Each role that I have undertaken has given me valuable knowledge and has helped me get to where I am today
Without any publishing experience, I started as a graduate trainee Publishing Editor, handling the peer review for submitted papers and learning new skills in editing and proofreading. Deciding that I would like to gain some management experience, I went on to manage the team of Publishing Assistants who provide the administrative support for all of our journals, before being offered an Editorial Production Manager job, less than a year later. I did this role for 4 years before starting my current role as Executive Editor for our analytical chemistry journals.
I really love my current role and think it is well suited to my strengths and character. I get to travel internationally and meet people to develop my professional network and ultimately I am responsible for developing my journals in line with the overall Royal Society of Chemistry strategy, while continuously evaluating the needs of the scientific community.
I have now worked at the Royal Society of Chemistry for more than 8 years and in that time have watched the organisation grow and evolve, going from strength to strength.
I am really grateful to have been offered a job as a graduate, which has allowed me to pursue a career in publishing. Although my career path is by no means a traditional one, I know that each role that I have undertaken has given me valuable knowledge and skills that are all relevant in my current role and have helped me get to where I am today.
Vibhuti in International Development
I was headed for a job in industry at the end of my Ph.D., but the economic downturn of 2009 meant that the company hiring me implemented a recruitment freeze. I didn't want to stay in academia, and an advert for the Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing graduate scheme caught my attention. It was a diverse organisation with a great portfolio of journals, and it seemed a good way to use my scientific background in an interesting way.
Working at the Royal Society of Chemistry has allowed me to transition from doing research to supporting the scientific community in a really positive way.
I was recruited as a Development Editor, and I moved on to be deputy editor for the Analytical journals. My three years in Publishing were fantastic; I had the opportunity to travel, attend conferences and work closely with many leading academics. In addition to my editorial role, I also worked on the use of social media within publishing; we set up a blog platform to share news about the journals, and trialled a crazy new thing called Twitter!
In 2012 I volunteered to be on a team looking at international territories, which led to a secondment opportunity in International Development. For a year, I headed a project team from across the organisation to develop a clearer idea of how the Royal Society of Chemistry should increase its presence in India. At the end of this time, I was offered the chance to stay on as international development manager, India; we're now implementing the strategy with exciting plans for a wide range of events and activities. I truly love my job. No two days are the same: one day I'm getting my head round Indian tax law related to our office set-up in Bangalore, the next I'm looking at a proposal for a symposium. I work with colleagues from all departments, and I get to travel to India three to four times a year.
The best thing about working at the Royal Society of Chemistry? The people: both my colleagues and the scientific community we work with.
Matt in ICT
Hands up who's seen the film “The Terminator”? Well if you haven’t let me give you a brief plot overview: A human-looking indestructible cyborg is sent from 2029 to 1984 to assassinate a waitress, whose unborn son will lead humanity in a war against the machines, while a soldier from that war is sent to protect her at all costs. Having watched this film as a 12 year old it inspired me to compile my first long term IT strategy. 2029 is now only 15 years away, and for the last 17 years I’ve been working for the Royal Society of Chemistry with access to a vast range of cutting edge IT equipment and staff with fantastic specialist knowledge. My ultimate goal is to combine that with the knowledge from the chemists working here, the links I’ve built up with other societies and access to the fantastic hardware and IT resources we have, to build up cyborg army ready to combat this threat…time is running out..
Building a cyborg army, est delivery date 2029, on schedule and under budget.
My journey started with the Royal Society of Chemistry on 08 September 1997, as a trainee systems developer. My initial role was writing Vax Basic programs which quickly evolved into writing the Workflow Article Management system, which was still used by publishing until recently and enabled the Royal Society of Chemistry to completely revamp our publishing processes. I moved from trainee, to not a trainee, to Senior Applications Developer, to applications team manager, and I’ve been heading up the IT department for the last seven years.
The role I’m in now isn’t just about keeping your computers running or the websites up, there are loads of things I get involved with outside of traditional IT. Most recently I’ve taken up a role in the Business Planning Team to focus on the strategic programmes that support the Royal Society of Chemistry Vision and overarching Strategic Priorities, with the aim of aligning activities with the available resources and following progress, which all helps to feed into the ICT strategy to ensure we’re on parallel paths with the rest of the business.
Having worked for the Royal Society of Chemistry for 17 years, my role has undertaken a number of changes as the organisation has grown. The Royal Society of Chemistry is now almost unrecognisable from the organisation I originally joined, each year growing and with each change, new challenges come along which help keep me engaged and motivated to continue to improve upon the support service ICT provides.
Best thing about the Royal Society of Chemistry? The challenge and then the support you get to meet these challenges from across the organisation. The support I’ve received from my line manager, team leaders and managers, to help carry out my role, all deserves some form of recognition, and the guys in the various support departments always have time for you, which help makes meeting your personal challenges that little bit easier…
Outside of work I support Peterborough United, the only team in Cambridgeshire, I also enjoy playing football, cycling, golf (I don’t have a handicap, I just ensure that I never lose to my brother)…and as a father of two children…sleeping.
Peter in Finance
I started working at the Royal Society of Chemistry in November 2006 as I was looking for a move up the “ladder” and wanted to work for a company that could give me better prospects than my current employer. The Royal Society of Chemistry stood out for me during interviews as it seemed like a professional yet friendly environment to work in and also the sort of company you could be proud to be associated with.
My journey to become a qualified accountant.
I started out as a finance assistant and was responsible for processing expenses and invoices. At that time, the finance department consisted of about 10 people and we shared the whole of the current office with six members of the events team.
Within a couple of years I successfully applied for an assistant management accountant role, working on producing reports for budget holders and monthly accounts preparation.
The Royal Society of Chemistry then agreed to support my study to become a qualified accountant and I began attending weekend classes and taking exams twice a year. During 2011 another opportunity arose during a restructure of the finance department and I started my current role as a finance business partner. I’m now at the stage where I have two exams left to take, out of a total of 11 papers until I achieve my qualification.
I have stuck with the Royal Society of Chemistry for nearly eight years now because of the opportunities that I have enjoyed here. I have been promoted twice and seen excellent career progression; I have also been sponsored for my studies which secures my future as a qualified accountant.
As well as career and qualification opportunities, the Royal Society of Chemistry is a great place to work because of the financial stability and growth of the organisation. Unlike many other places, the Royal Society of Chemistry has continued to grow throughout economic instability which creates job security. I’m also part of a great team and enjoy working with them every day!
Andrew in New Business
Following the completion of my A-levels, I pursued a degree in chemistry at University College London, which I enjoyed immensely. After two periods working in industrial chemistry R&D, interspersed with a role in finance business services, I was keen to find a role that combined my core skills and interests in chemistry and business, and an opportunity to move away from laboratory work.
I’ve been fortunate to find a role that combines my interests in chemistry and business.
I joined the Royal Society of Chemistry as a senior business development officer and became a manager after five years. My role is very varied on a day-to-day basis. I’m fortunate to be able to work with a wide variety of colleagues across most departments within the Royal Society of Chemistry, and with colleagues outside the organisation, via multiple cross-departmental project teams. I have led a number of interesting projects including the launch of several new scientific journals and the acquisition of The Merck Index. I’ve been very fortunate to work for the organisation during a period of rapid growth and expansion which has provided many opportunities to develop my skills.
Duncan in Education
In 2011 I was working as an education technology freelancer and editing a report on Legal Aid reform at King’s College London. A friend spotted a job in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s nascent online education programme, and I applied. That programme has since morphed into Learn Chemistry, with a team of six.
I love that I get to do what I do.
What keeps me here is the chance to do very cool things for science education; to work with the best people, collaborate with the best institutions, and contract the best companies. We are lucky to have the resources and the remit to do what we do and I’m proud to be part of an organisation that wants to improve and advance chemistry education simply because it’s worth doing.
My background is in factual broadcasting, science communication, and online learning. I got my BSc in Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Bristol, and my MSc Science Communication from Imperial College a few years later. I try to bring my experience and education to bear on my work, but I do my job best when I’m enabling the Learn Chemistry team to do theirs.
The best thing about the Royal Society of Chemistry is the tangible sense of an organisation and its staff rooted in centuries of tradition and expertise, and yet completely forward-looking and engaged with the world.
Lara in Communications & marketing
After initially joining the Royal Society of Chemistry to pursue a career in publishing, my path has unexpectedly detoured into marketing. I started as a publishing assistant and have found my way to copywriting. From these different viewpoints, I have seen first-hand just how much and how quickly the company is changing. The various awards, launches and rebrands last year probably played a big part in keeping me with the company. Champagne cocktails will do that.
I feel I have a career and not just a job.
But, on a daily basis, I can honestly say the best part of working here is the people I work with. I have a theory that their positivity, creativity and good humour are directly linked to the amount of cake that is continuously circulating. But, for whatever reason, they make it just a fun place to work.
I have been given a fantastic opportunity to progress and develop, by managers who are genuinely committed to helping me succeed. For the first time I feel I have a career and not just a job. These opportunities are what is so great about working for a company with such diverse aspects and ambitions. A year and a half after joining the Royal Society of Chemistry, I am absolutely not where I thought I would be – but for that I am really thankful and excited.
We offer an excellent benefits package for UK employees that includes:
26 days paid holiday per annum and bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff). After five years' service, holiday entitlement increases to 29 days.
35-hour working week. Our standard core hours for most roles are 09:00–17:00.
Group personal pension scheme where we contribute up to 12%, depending upon your contribution.
Free life assurance at four times basic salary.
Free critical illness insurance.
Free private healthcare plan which is provided through Aviva. Includes self referral for some physiotherapy treatment. No excess to pay on employee's part when activating policy. Access to a GP via dedicated phone number 24 hours a day. Negotiated discounts (up to 40%) with various gyms throughout the UK.
Cycle to work scheme (conditions apply). This benefit enables you to purchase a bike up to the value of £1,000, pay the cost of it back over 12 months whilst also not having to pay Income Tax or National Insurance contributions on the cost.
Childcare vouchers. These provide a tax free benefit to a portion of our employee's salary. The exchanged proportion of the salary is exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions, allowing our employees to make savings on their childcare costs.
Employee assistance programme. Easy to access and confidential Unum LifeWorks is available for our employees and their immediate family members, covering a vast range of areas for employee assistance.
'Eyecare at work' scheme. Eye examination certificate that is paid for by us. Vouchers are provided if glasses are needed for VDU use.
Subsidised staff restaurant – Thomas Graham House, Cambridge. On-site restaurant serving a wide range of fresh hot and cold food daily. Breakfast, lunches and afternoon snacks are catered for and are available Monday-Friday. We also have various branded hot drinks machines located around our building free of charge.
Season ticket loan scheme (conditions apply). For employees who have successfully completed their probation period and are performing well we have the opportunity to provide an interest free loan which is repayable over 12 months.
Car/motorcycle loan scheme (conditions apply). For employees who have successfully completed their probation period and are performing well we have the opportunity to provide a loan with interest which is repayable monthly up to 3 years.
Staff sports and social club – Thomas Graham House, Cambridge. We have a vibrant sports and social club which encompasses all employees based out of TGH. Recent events include a comedy club in London and a go-karting event in Cambridge. We also have active sports teams with squash leagues and rounder's teams to name a few.
Membership subscription to your professional body. We offer our employees the opportunity to become members of the Royal Society of Chemistry which provides a host of other benefits. We also offer the opportunity for another paid subscription for membership to your professional body, where applicable.
Training and development.
Relocation expenses (if relevant). For some roles, we are able to provide relocation assistance for new employees. Our policy is in accordance with HMRC guidance on relocation expenses and their tax free status. For our graduates it is £1,000 relocation expense reimbursement.
Free car parking – Thomas Graham House, Cambridge. We have on-site free parking at our offices in Cambridge.
Staff flats.Employees have the use of two flats on-site at our offices at TGH, subject to availability. These are let out at a financially attractive rate for our employees for any period from one night to eight weeks.
Royal Academy of Arts. Our employees have access to free passes on request to the Royal Academy of Arts.
For anyone applying for international positions, benefits will be discussed with the recruiter at the interview.
During the summer months, we have internships and summer placement opportunities available in teams throughout the Royal Society of Chemistry. These placements offer undergraduate students and graduates the opportunity to gain work experience that helps toward developing a career in science without working in the lab.
These placements are not always open for applications. To find out what opportunities are currently available and sign up for job alerts, please visit our current vacancies page.
Science writer internship
If you are a graduate or student under graduate and have a passion for science writing, this placement could be for you.
Our Science Writer placement offers an undergraduate student or graduate with an enthusiasm for science writing an opportunity to gain experience working for two of our publications: Chemistry World and Education in Chemistry.
This eight week position, supported by the Marriott Bequest Trust, will provide a hands-on introduction to the complete editorial process from writing and editing to page layout and printing.
We have opportunities available to graduates looking to start or build upon a career in chemistry. Below is a brief overview; please visit our graduate opportunities page to find out more and apply for the role that's right for you.
Publishing editor
As a Publishing Editor the main purpose of your role is to contribute to the growth and quality of the journals through the day-to-day operation of the peer review, editing and publication processes for journal articles submitted to the Royal Society of Chemistry.
This is a great opportunity to work with dynamic journal teams and researchers to ensure the Royal Society of Chemistry publishes high impact journals with the best science. You will be a critical part of the whole publishing process from initial submission through to final publication as well as providing support to Associate Editors or commissioning journal covers. This is a varied role in which you will use your scientific knowledge daily to communicate the latest research to the chemical science community worldwide. An essential part of your role will be to provide excellent customer service to our authors and reviewers.
To find out more about what it's like to be a Publishing Editor, visit our Publishing Editor blog.
Please read the job description for further information about the role and skills required and submit your application by applying online for this role.
Recruitment team
- Tel:
- +44 (0) 1223 432229
- Email:
- Send us an email