He received both a BSc degree in chemistry and a PhD (1988) from University College London, where he studied under Professor Richard Catlow.

Subsequently, he held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Eastman Kodak laboratories in Rochester, New York, working on oxide superconductors.

[14][15][16] A demonstration in these lectures led to a Guinness World Record for the highest voltage (1,275 Volts) produced by a fruit battery using more than 1,000 lemons.

[18] Saiful has served on the Diversity Committee of the Royal Society, and was selected for the Royal Society's 'Inspiring Scientists'[19] project that recorded the life stories of British scientists with minority ethnic heritage in partnership with National Life Stories at the British Library.

[21] On 23 November 2022, Saiful was an invited speaker at the Brian Cox & Robin Ince's Compendium of Reason charity event, which was at the Royal Albert Hall.