He is currently a research fellow at the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD), UTM, which is a National Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Bioproducts. He has published two research books, four edited books and eight book chapters. Dr. Zainul has served as a guest editor for some various journals; an evaluator for research grants from the American Chemical Society, Saudi Arabia, Australia and South Africa; as well as an external examiner for Ph.D. candidates from South Africa, India and Pakistan.