Professor Tait's research focuses on the smallest scales, seeking for physics beyond the Standard Model that describes all known fundamental particles. One particular direction he pursues is to understand the nature of the mysterious dark matter whose existence can be inferred from observation of the Universe, but whose fundamental nature remains unknown.

In 2013, he was elected a fellow of the American Physical Society, an honor signifying recognition by one's professional peers. Tait earned this fellowship for his contributions to the phenomenology of theories of dark matter. His work on the possible discovery of a fifth force of nature has been featured widely in the media, including an interview on National Public Radio's Take Two.