Tam joined Chung Chi College, part of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), as a chemistry lecturer in 1965.[3]
He served as head of the Chinese University's graduate school from 1981 until 1993, and as a pro-vice-chancellor of the university from 1990 to 1994. Tam retired from CUHK in 1995, the same year he was appointed president of OUHK.[3] Tam retired from the presidency in November 2003.[4]