A Pharmacognosist is mainly deployed –

• (a)To assist in setting up and designing the various laboratories under a testing centre for Chinese medicines;
• (b)To assist in the development and establishment of appropriate marker substances for identification and assay of medicinal plants or proprietary Chinese medicines;
• (c)To vet scientific reports from research institutes in order to facilitate the enhancement of the scientific research results / outcomes;
• (d)To assist in resolving problems encountered when difficulties arises during research projects;
• (e)To monitor research institutions' deliverables / reports in research protocols;
• (f)To identify the potential need of pharmacognostical analysis and assist in developing related projects; and
• (g)To carry out any other duties as assigned by senior officers.

Candidates should have –

• (a)a Master degree or above in Pharmacognosy, Chemistry of Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plant Sciences or a related subject from a university of Hong Kong, or equivalent (Notes 1 and 2);
• (b)at least four years' relevant full-time experience in the identification of active ingredients contained in the medicinal plant, and possess in-depth professional knowledge in the physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of drugs, drug substances or potential drugs or drug substances of natural origin as well as the search for new chemical from natural sources (Note 3);
• (c)excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical and organisation skills; and
• (d)proficiency in written Chinese and English, and good command of spoken Cantonese, Putonghua and English.