Professor McCoy's research involves development of biomaterials which are resistant to infection. In particular, his research exploits triggered drug delivery using light, heat, chemical or electrical stimuli to either modulate the properties of materials or directly release bioactive molecules. He also materials for detecting and monitoring species such as drugs, explosives and biological anions.

His research is both fundamental and applied, with funders including EPSRC, the Royal Society and global medical device companies. He is author of more than 100 publications and patents in journals including Nature, Journal of the American Chemical Society and Pharmaceutical Research.