Benjamin Viola

Experience

• 

  Hardrock Climbing Company

  Mar 2014 - Jun 2016

  Climbing Instructor
• 

  Greencross Vets

  May 2016 - May 2017

  Veterinary Assistant
• 

  City Of Monash

  May 2017 - Oct 2018

  Membership Consultant
• 

  Zoos Victoria

  Sept 2018 - Dec 2020

  Visitor Engagement Officer (Encounters)
• 

  Monash University

  Jan 2019 - Oct 2021

  Research Assistant to Dr Rohan Clarke in the Ornithology and Conservation Management Research Group, and on the Drone Discovery Platform. Research Assistant to Dr Rohan Clarke in the Ornithology and Conservation Management Research Group, and on the Drone Discovery Platform.3 month contract - PT (0.6)3 month contract - PT (0.8)6 month contract - FT3 month contract - FT

  • Research Assistant - Ecologist

    Nov 2020 - Oct 2021

  • Research Affiliate

    Mar 2020 - Nov 2020

  • Research Assistant - Ecologist

    Jan 2019 - Mar 2020
• 

  University of Melbourne

  Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

  Research Assistant - Geomorphologist

  Data collection and processing within The Coastal Lab, for the Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program.

• 

  RPS

  Feb 2022 - Nov 2022

  Involved the development of seabird species profiles via literature review Private consulting (protected species observer) onboard SIEM Aquamarine (through RPS energy).Involved eight weeks at sea (two swings) spanning all of March and all of May for Beach Energy operations - Otway development drilling and well abandonment. Notably, the first Australian project to have MFOs onboard for drilling operations, and the second project to do so globally (after Alaska, USA).Currently active on RPS MFO roster

  • Marine Scientist

    Oct 2022 - Nov 2022

  • Marine Fauna Observer

    Feb 2022 - Nov 2022
• 

  University of Tasmania

  Jul 2022 - now

  Thesis Title: Understanding habitat use by Snow Petrels (Pagodroma nivea) in a changing environment.Joint program with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, and the Australian Antarctic Division.Supervisor: Dr Stuart CorneyCo-supervisors: A. Prof. Patti Virtue Demonstrator for first year undergraduate unit: KSM102 - Sustainable Marine Food Production Demonstrator for first year undergraduate unit: KSM102 - Sustainable Marine Food Production

  • Doctoral Candidate

    Feb 2021 - now

  • Laboratory Demonstrator

    Jul 2023 - Dec 2023

  • Laboratory Demonstrator

    Jul 2022 - Dec 2022
• 

  Australian Antarctic Division

  Oct 2023 - now

  Joint program with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, and the Australian Antarctic Division.Co-supervisors: Dr Natalie Kelly, and Dr Colin Southwell 77th ANARE Summer Expeditioner at Mawson station contributing to the Béchervaise Island long term monitoring program. Work involved assistance with the coordination of the field program, leading the biology field program when on continent, managing biosecurity and HPAI risk, colony counts at Davis and Mawson stations, biological sampling of seabirds, attachment of geolocation tracking devices to seabirds, microchipping of seabirds, RPAS (drone) operations, and environmental assessments. 76th ANARE Summer Expeditioner at Mawson station contributing to the Béchervaise Island long term monitoring program. Work involved shipboard observation, colony counts at Davis and Mawson, biological sampling of seabirds, attachment of geolocation tracking devices to seabirds, microchipping of seabirds, RPAS (drone) operations, and environmental assessments.

  • Doctoral Candidate

    Feb 2021 - now

  • Lead Vertebrate Biologist

    Aug 2024 - Mar 2025

  • Seabird Ecologist

    Oct 2023 - Apr 2024