Available PhD Opportunities

We always welcome applications from prospective Postgraduate HDR students

Current Project Opportunities:

Honours/Minor Project research project opportunity -

Development extender solution for short-term storage of Purple Grouper and Giant Grouper milt

Contact Supervisor: Jarrod Guppy

Location: James Cook University, Townsville 4814, QLD Australia.

Other Supervisors: Associate Professor Leo Nankervis, Associate Professor Donna Rudd and others see

Honours/ Masters. Applicants should be familiar with the Honours Student Research Requirements and/or the Higher Degree by Research Requirements.

Project summary

Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) and Purple Grouper (Epinephelus cyanopodus) are both highly valuable
emerging aquaculture species, and these industries have a strong desire to implement selective
breeding programs. To do so, breeding companies need greater control over breeding processes to ensure
consistent and reliable production. Cryopreservation offers the potential to facilitate 1:1 crosses at
different time intervals and enables the production of larval batches without relying on spawning
broodstock. This project aims to undertake the first step towards this objective, by developing a species specific
solution for dilution and handling of grouper milt, and to extend the viability of grouper milt during
short-term storage. This project will characterise the biochemical characteristics of each species milt and
utilise advanced sperm analysis and cellular assays to optimise components of the diluent solution.
This project is embedded within both The ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Supercharging
Tropical Aquaculture through Genetic Solutions

Enquiries to: jarrod.guppy@jcu.edu.au