In 1855 he was a lecturer on chemistry and natural science at Scotch College, having been engaged for the position before leaving Scotland.
In 1857 he was awarded an MD ad eundem from the University of Melbourne in acknowledgment of his MD from the University of Glasgow.
In 1857-1858 he also taught at Geelong Church of England Grammar School (now Geelong Grammar School). In 1858, he was appointed the Victorian government analytical chemist. In 1860 he became health officer to the City of Melbourne. He wrote several reports on public health.
On 3 March 1862 he was appointed as the first lecturer in medicine (chemistry and practical chemistry) at the University of Melbourne School of Medicine. For the next few years he held classes for a small number of medical students in the Analytical Laboratory behind the Public Library. He was also a member of the Board of Agriculture.