The Advisory Panel

Every HDR candidate has an Advisory Panel responsible for providing guidance, support, and direction during their research journey. An Advisory Panel must include at least one AIMS Advisor and one JCU Advisor, with the Primary Advisor able to be based at either institution. A typical panel may include:

• Primary Advisor – Based at either AIMS or JCU and registered on the JCU Register of Advisors. The Primary Advisor leads the panel and provides oversight of the student’s candidature.
• Secondary Advisor(s) – Provide complementary expertise and support. At least one must be on the JCU Register of Advisors.
• External or Adjunct Advisors (optional) – Experts from partner organisations or industry who offer specialist knowledge or connections.

Together, Advisors are responsible for:

• Guiding the design, conduct, and write-up of research
• Supporting access to resources, training, and fieldwork
• Managing progress milestones and reporting
• Encouraging engagement with industry and community
• Promoting research dissemination and impact

View Current Research Opportunities

Research Projects Seeking HDRs page is now live on the new Graduate Research School (GRS) website.

View the Research Projects Seeking HDRs Page

This page showcases PhD and MPhil research projects currently seeking candidates. It will be updated regularly, so we encourage you to check back often to stay across new opportunities and collaborations.

 What you’ll find on the page:

• Project name and description
• Level of study (PhD or MPhil)
• Project webpage (if available)
• Contact details
• College and GECO link

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.

Becoming a Registered 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.

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

Becoming an AIMS@JCU Advisor

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.

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