Upon his return from Cambridge Edson was appointed Lectuter in Biochemistry at the University of Otago Medical School. He set up a modern biochemistry department for teaching and research. Initially he provided his own equipment and chemicals but later was supported by the Travis Trust for Tuberculosis Research. Fortunately in 1943 John Eccles, a noted neurophysiologist, was appointed to the chair of physiology. Eccles recognised Edson's talents and gave him full support in his enterprises (Eccles, 1977). Gradually Edson recruited a small staff and a number of research students who assisted in his teaching and research.