Adjunct Appointments

Adjunct appointments provide a formal academic link between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and James Cook University (JCU) and recognise AIMS staff who contribute to joint research, student supervision and broader AIMS@JCU activities.

Adjunct appointments are available to AIMS staff who are AIMS@JCU members, research active, based at or closely affiliated with AIMS Townsville, and actively engaged in supporting AIMS@JCU activities.

Adjunct status is typically offered to AIMS staff whose involvement includes:

• Participation in AIMS@JCU activities;
• Collaboration with JCU staff on research projects or academic initiatives;
• Support of AIMS@JCU members and students within AIMS workplaces; and
• Co-supervision of AIMS@JCU HDR students, in some cases (where requirements are met) as the principal advisor.

Purpose and Benefits

Adjunct appointments strengthen collaboration between AIMS and JCU by enabling shared research, supervision, and teaching opportunities. The AIMS@JCU program provides JCU with access to additional qualified advisors and project resources for marine science HDR students—at no cost to JCU beyond the resources allocated to the AIMS@JCU alliance.
By attribution of AIMS@JCU adjuncts to JCU, these collaborations contribute to HERDC and ERA research performance targets and enhance both institutions’ research impact.

Adjunct appointments also provide AIMS staff with:

• Access to JCU’s electronic library (journals, databases, eBooks);
• Use of JCU credentials for login and system access;
• Opportunities for collaboration, co-supervision, and engagement with JCU staff and students; and
• Formal academic recognition of their contribution to marine science research and education.

Application Process

Adjunct appointments are considered by JCU approximately once every three months, so staff are encouraged to plan ahead and submit applications early to avoid lapses in access. AIMS@JCU members receive automatic reminders when their adjunct status is due to expire, helping ensure continuity of access to JCU systems and resources.

Applications for adjunct appointments are coordinated through AIMS@JCU. Please contact admin.aims@jcu.edu.au for an application form.

Becoming an Advisor

Step 1: Become a Registered JCU Advisor

To be formally appointed to a HDR Advisory Panel, Advisors must be registered on the JCU Register of Advisors. This applies to both AIMS and JCU staff.

Please familiarise yourself with the JCU HDR Advisory Procedure for information about eligibility and training requirements.

Steps to become a registered Advisor:

1. Complete the Graduate Research School’s (GRS) online Advisor Training and Development modules.
2. Submit your Primary Advisor Statement via JCU systems.
3. Notify AIMS@JCU once your registration is approved so your details can be recorded for cross-institutional panels.
4. Complete refresher training as required (for example, when upgrading from Secondary to Primary Advisor status).

Learn more about becoming a JCU Advisor

Step 2: Meet AIMS@JCU specific requirements

AIMS and JCU staff interested in supervising HDR candidates through AIMS@JCU should:

1. Become and AIMS@JCU member (https://aims.jcu.edu.au/become-a-member/) 
2. Establish a collaborative project with a staff member from the partner institution.
3. Form an Advisory Panel with at least one AIMS and one JCU Advisor.
4. Obtain endorsement from the AIMS Research Office prior to recruitment.
5. Align the project with AIMS@JCU’s strategic research priorities.
6. Hold an adjunct appointment with JCU (for AIMS staff) or an AIMS@JCU affiliation (for JCU staff).

Tip: Consider including Early Career Researchers (ECRs) as co-Advisors to help build supervisory experience and strengthen mentoring capacity across both institutions.

Advisory Expectations

Advisors play a critical role in:

• Providing academic and pastoral support
• Ensuring ethical and responsible research practices
• Managing risk, governance, and continuity of supervision
• Maintaining regular communication with the student
• Declaring and managing any potential conflicts of interest

All Advisors are expected to uphold the Universities Australia Principles for Respectful Supervisory Relationships and JCU’s Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

If you’d like to add your project to the new Research Projects Seeking HDRs, you can submit it via this form link: Research Projects seeking HDR Candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click HERE to view FAQ’s.

Need Support?

AIMS@JCU can assist AIMS and JCU staff in forming Advisory Panels, navigating the JCU HDR processes, and ensuring compliance with relevant procedures.

Contact: admin.aims@jcu.edu.au