 In 1974, he became Reader in English, at the Institute of English under University of Kerala, a post he held till 1980, when he became Dean of Faculty of Arts in the University of Kerala, he retired in 1990.Through his long career he lectured in many national and international universities, including around 25 universities in US, where came across poets James Dickey, John Hollander, Czeslaw Milosz and Allen Ginsberg.Paniker was a recipient of a number of honours including the Padma Shri, Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for poetry and criticism, "Kendriya" Sahitya Akademi Award for poetry, 2005 "Saraswati Samman" for his collection of writings "Ayyappa Panikerude Krithikal", "Distinguished Teacher" award, "Mahakavi Ulloor" award for poetry, "Kabir Samman", "International Man of the Year" (IBC, Cambridge, UK), "Indira Gandhi Memorial Fellowship" with lead to the book, "Indian Narratology" published by IGNCA, Gangadhar Meher National Award for poetry, "Asan Prize" and "Jana Sanskriti Award" (Abu Dhabi), "Vayalar Award", Pandalam Keralavarma award and "Vallathol Award".2015 was conducted in memory of him.