Dr James Fox
Head of Technical Operations, Biology, HYMS & Health Sciences

Profile

Biography

I am one of three Heads of Technical Operations at the university; my portfolio of responsibility covers the departments of Biology, HYMS and Health Sciences. I lead the technical managers and technical services within these areas to ensure they are delivered effectively, safely and sustainably whilst fostering an inclusive and respectful working environment where all staff can thrive and develop. 

Career

• 1998-2002 MPharmacol (Hons) Pharmacology, University of Bath
  2002-2006 PhD, Imperial College London
  2006-2007 PDRA, Keele University
  2007-2012 PDRA, University of York
  2013 PDRA / Lab Manager, University of Oxford
  2013-2014 Technician, University of Leicester
  2014-2017 PDRA, University of York
  2017-2021 Lab Manager & York Tissue Bank Manager / PD for the universities HTA licence, University of York
  2021-2022 Secondment as Deputy Operations Manager, Biology
  2022-2026 Deputy Operations Manager, Biology
• 2026-present Head of Technical Operations, Biology, HYMS and Health Sciences

Qualifications

• MPharmacol (Hons) - University of Bath
• PhD - Imperial College London
• CSci

See also my career pathway

Departmental roles

• Deputy Departmental Safety Advisor
• First Aider
• Mental Health First Aider
• Emergency Spill Team member / Respirator trained
• Fire Warden / Fire Sweeper
• Fire extinguisher trained

Departmental committee roles

• Ethics committee member
• Estates committee member
• H&S committee member
• EDI committee member
• Sustainability committee member

University roles

• Member of the York Tissue Bank (YTB) management group
• Phlebotomist and local trainer for new phlebotomists for the YTB biofluids service
• Dignity Contact
• Member of the Technical Services Group
• Member of the Technician Commitment delivery group
• TechYork committee member

Accreditations/ Memberships

• Fellow of the Institute of Science & Technology (FIScT)
• Member of the Institute of Safety in Technology & Research (MISTR)
• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Authority (AFHEA)

External activities

Overview

• Committee member on the Breast Cancer Now BioBank Advisory Committee (2023-)
• Editorial board member for the Institute of Science & Technology’s Tech Magazine
• Communications Officer for the Universities Biosciences Managers Association (2025-)
• Science Council Professional Registrant Champion
• Science Council Professional Registration Assessor
• IST Personal Professional Development Assessor for IST members
• Technician Commitment Self-Assessment & Action plan Peer Reviewer