Insects for the masses - breeding super black soldier flies at scale for sustainable food production

Insects for the masses - breeding super black soldier flies at scale for sustainable food production

Advisor/s

Prof Kyall Zenger, Prof Dean Jerry, Prof Ron White

College or Research Centre

College of Science & Engineering

Summary of Project

Primary Supervisor: Prof Kyall Zenger (https://research.jcu.edu.au/portfolio/kyall.zenger/)

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

Secondary Supervisors: Professor Dean Jerry, Professor Ron White

PhD (International/Domestic). Applicants will need to apply for a JCU competitive Research Scholarship and should be familiar with the Higher Degree by Research Requirements.

Scholarship value: AU$29,863 and JCU PhD tuition fees*

Project summary

A PhD project (with scholarship) are part of an ARC funded Linkage project aiming to address the current challenges impeding the industrial scale-up of Australian Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming across diverse feed waste substrates by generating critical on-farm knowledge. This project expects to generate fundamental knowledge in commercial BSF breeding designs whilst also developing and testing new animal evaluation technologies (ie, genetic & spectroscopy) through interdisciplinary approaches that will accelerate industry productivity. Expected outcomes of this project include the long-term growth and competitive advantage of the Australian insect farming industry, as well as promoting the benefits of a circular economy through bio-conversion of organic waste into commercially viable products.

Available research areas

1) To investigate the genetic makeup of both wild Australian BSFs and farmed BSFs with specific focus on family/population diversity and optimisation of on-farm breeding program designs. This PhD project is suited to those with a background (or strong determination to advance) in population genetics and applied breeding program designs.

2) To specifically investigate the trait architecture and genetic parameters (including estimated breeding values) for key BSF production traits. This PhD project is suited to those with a background (or strong determination to advance) in quantitative genetics and computational breeding program designs.

How to Apply: Please email a cover letter and a copy of you CV including any relevant academic experience, publications, research projects, and awards/prizes to the email address below. All applications will be evaluated on merit with a final decision made 30th January 2023.

Enquiries to: aquaculture@jcu.edu.au

*Stipend and tuition fee values subject to confirmation

Key Words

Black Soldier Fly (BSF); BSF breeding; genetic; spectroscopy; Australian insect farming industry; bioconversion; organic waste

Would suit an applicant who

has applied for a JCU competitive Research Scholarship and familiar with the Higher Degree by Research Requirements.

Updated: 29 Aug 2022