Dr Harry Quiney obtained an M.Sc (1984) from Monash University in Theoretical Chemistry, and a D.Phil (1987) in Physical Sciences from the University of Oxford, where, until recently, he continued to conduct research in theoretical atomic and molecular physics and quantum chemistry.

He has held positions as Senior Scholar at St Catherine's College Oxford, Research Fellow of the Royal Commission of 1851, EPSRC Advanced Fellow in Physics, and Lecturer at Wadham College, Oxford.