The University is pleased to announce that Dr John Harris has been appointed as the Manager of the Research Hub. 

John will be responsible for project management during the construction phase to ensure that all non-construction aspects of the operating model are in place ahead of the building opening, and will be responsible for the planning and operational management required to deliver the daily operation of the building along with the wider aspirations of the Research Hub. 

John obtained his B.Eng and PhD in Optoelectronic Engineering from the University of Glasgow before undertaking postdoctoral research in the field of Biophotonics at the University of Strathclyde. Following a role as Senior Scientific Officer for Cancer Research UK at the University of Cambridge, John became manager of the UK’s first Nikon Imaging Centre at Kings College London.  

Prior to joining the University of Glasgow as Research Hub Manager, he was the manager of the Queen Elizabeth Teaching and Learning Centre, which was a joint position between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and University of Glasgow, where he played a key role in the setup and operational management of the £26m teaching/research facility dedicated to training the next generation of doctors and medical staff. 

Speaking about his appointment, John said: “The Research Hub is a fantastic development for the University, and will enhance the University’s research reputation, both within the UK and internationally. From my own experience of working in research, I recognise the value of working collaboratively to find novel solutions to real-world problems, and I believe the Research Hub will promote and support this way of working. I’m therefore very happy to be joining this exciting project, and I hope to make a significant contribution towards the successful delivery and subsequent operation of the building.” 

Professor Andrew Tobin, Project Co-Sponsor and founding Director of the Research Hub, said: "I'm really pleased to welcome John to the team. John's skills and experience make him a great fit for the Research Hub. As a researcher with experience of working in university partnerships involving industry and the NHS, I think he is well-positioned to embrace the challenges of running a large, ambitious, collaborative, multi-stakeholder project.” 

First published: 19 June 2020

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