 Russell worked as a demonstrator and lecturer at the chemistry department in Victoria University, Manchester from 1898 and became the head of the department at Agricultural college Wye from 1892 to 1907.From 1907 to 1912 he was appointed soil chemist at Rothamsted through Goldsmith's Company's endowment of £10,000.In 1913 he became a director of the research station, succeeding Alfred Daniel Hall.