 In 1857 Foster joined the British Association for the Advancement of Science, presented his research on the nomenclature of organic chemistry at their meeting, and maintained a close involvement thereafter.From 1858 he undertook research in organic chemistry under Kekulé at Ghent, later moving to Paris and Heidelberg.Having further pursued the study of heat, light, and electricity, introduced to him by Williamson, in 1862 he was appointed professor of natural philosophy at Anderson's University in Glasgow.