In 2005, he was promoted to Reader at the University of Glasgow, EPSRC Advanced Fellow followed by promotion to Professor of Chemistry in 2006, and in 2009 became the Gardiner Professor. In 2013, he became the Regius Professor of Chemistry (Glasgow).
Cronin gave the opening lecture at TEDGlobal conference in 2011 in Edinburgh.[5] He outlined the initial steps his team at University of Glasgow is taking to create inorganic biology, life composed of non-carbon-based material.
In 2022 Cronin was suspended by the Royal Society of Chemistry for three months for breaching their code of conduct, following a full independent investigation of a complaint made by a third party.[6][7]
2014 recognised as one of the UK's top 10 Inspiring Scientists and Engineers (RISE)[10] as well as being recognised as one of the top 100 UK practising Scientists by the UK Science Council.[11]
2015 Royal Society of Edinburgh BP / Hutton Prize for Energy innovation.[12] Royal Society of Chemistry Tilden Prize.[13]
2018 American Chemical Society Inorganic Chemistry Lectureship[14]
Cronin was the subject of a film entitled Inorganica, which documents the progress of his research in inorganic biology and origins of life.[15]
^Holden, John-Paul (16 July 2022). "Top scientist suspended from Royal Society of Chemistry". The Herald. Retrieved 16 July 2022. A Glasgow University spokesman said: "The university is aware that Professor Lee Cronin has had his membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry suspended for a three-month period, following a full independent investigation into a complaint made by a third party."
^Inge, Sophie (15 July 2022). "Top chemist suspended by Royal Society of Chemistry". Research Professional News. Retrieved 25 July 2022. Lee Cronin (pictured), the University of Glasgow's Regius chair of chemistry, was suspended for three months by the society, following a complaint, the RSC announced in Update, its monthly newsletter for members.