Dr Jeff Ayton commenced with the Australian Antarctic Division as Chief Medical Officer in 2002, with responsibility for the Australian Antarctic Program medical support. Dr Ayton is Current Council Chair of the Centre for Antarctic, Remote and Maritime Medicine (CARMM)

In 1992, Jeff deployed for 13 months over winter at Casey Research Station, East Antarctica, as a remote generalist medical practitioner responsible for the comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care for 16 expeditioners totally isolated for the nine month winter period.

Whilst overwintering he undertook immunology and epidemiological research. He now leads Australian Antarctic Program medical research including utilising Antarctica as a Space Analog.

He has gained varied experience in other rural and remote medical practices as a procedural general practitioner obstetrician and anaesthetist including Rural Australia, Norfolk Island, and Papua New Guinea.

Dr Ayton is a past President and Chair of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)- the world leading college training and supporting rural and remote generalist medical practitioners.

Dr Ayton is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Tasmania and Australian delegate and past Chair of the SCAR COMNAP Joint Expert Group on Human Biology and Medicine.