Paul Smith - Arctic Conservation

Prospective students

I supervise graduate and honours students in the Department of Biology at Carleton University and Environmental & Life Sciences at Trent University.  I also work with postdoctoral fellows through these universities, or directly through Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Graduate students

I take on excellent students who have a keen interest in at least one of my research topics. Many of my students arrive with, or are strong candidates for scholarships (e.g., NSERC or OGS MSc or PhD scholarships), but at minimum, must meet the GPA requirements for admission at Carleton or Trent. Students should have a background in biology, environmental science, or geography, and a strong interest in applied conservation. I consider remote field experience to be an asset, along with statistical expertise. To meet admission timelines, those interested should contact me as early as possible, and at least 10 months in advance of their desired start date.

Honours students

An honours project is an opportunity for undergraduate students to experience the process of carrying out their own research project. I work with honours students interested in Arctic ecology, or other conservation topics, at Carleton and Trent. Students should meet the requirements for the honours program. Interested students should ideally contact me in their third year, if they wish to explore the possibility of a summer research project. 

Field assistants

Depending on the number of graduate students participating in fieldwork, I sometimes hire a small number of field assistants to carry out fieldwork at my Arctic research camps. For these paid research assistant positions, we are looking for previous remote field experience, experience with bears, firearms, first aid and other relevant qualifications.  Our work typically takes place June-August at remote camps in Nunavut.    

Arctic fieldwork

...is a rewarding opportunity to experience unique ecosystems, but can be tough at times given the remote conditions. Students and field assistants must be physically and emotionally prepared to work long hours in tough weather conditions, to follow safety protocols at all times, and be equipped to maintain a positive attitude in this challenging but awe inspiring environment. Arctic field research requires training and months of advanced planning, so it is essential to contact me far in advance if you are interested in participating in Arctic fieldwork.

Contacting me

If you are interested in joining my lab, send me an email (paulallen.smith@ec.gc.ca) describing your research interests and why you would be a good fit. Please include your CV, and for student positions, your (unofficial) transcripts.