Discover James Cook University

James Cook University is Australia’s premier tropical research University and has major campuses in both Cairns and Townsville. With the recent establishment of a Medical School and the relocation of the major hospital complex in tropical Queensland to the Townsville campus it has now established a major medical research initiative. The focus is primarily on medical research relevant to the tropics and the rural, remote and indigenous populations of the region. Central to this effort is the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine (AITM), an institute first founded in 1910.

The location within northern Queensland provides a compelling advantage for the conduct of and investment in tropically focused research. The location allows for the most economical integration between research and applications of the knowledge gained. Also of critical importance is the immediate and ready access to a major patient population in tropical northern Australia that allows for direct action between scientists/technologists/social scientists and clinicians involved in the management of tropical diseases.

Northern Queensland is strategically placed as it shares with neighbouring countries the same conditions for human and animal health, agriculture and protection of crops, food supply and its quality, safety and quality of life and threats to all of these from climate change, emerging infectious diseases etc. This commonality is essential to our ability to engage with the region and contribute to its prosperity.

There are over 80 permanent staff involved in research projects being conducted by the Institute in addition to postgraduate students and collaborators. The projects are organised into five clusters which represent the major themes of medical and health research at James Cook University and the hospital. These are the Comparative Genomics Centre (using animal models to investigate human diseases); Drug Development Design and Delivery (everything from drug discovery to its use in the community); Health, Workforce and Education in Rural, Indigenous and Tropical Communities (health education and workforce research); the North Queensland Centre for Cancer Research (focusing primarily on colon and skin cancer); and Tropical Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity (diseases relevant to both humans and animals and zoonoses).

We are specifically interested in collaborations and investment in a number of areas where we have expertise and resources. This includes, among others, drug stability as affected by light and temperature; the use of our natural biodiversity for the discovery of drugs and the development of novel ways to use venoms and toxins; approaches to skin cancer prevention and treatment; emerging tropical infectious diseases and zoonoses. The University has excellent facilities for projects in these and other areas of research.

The Institute also has opportunities for postgraduate student applications with the prospect of a number of studentships. These opportunities exist in all aspects of the AITM and, where appropriate, the University is also willing to arrange co-tutelle arrangements for postgraduate students.