Put scientific theory into ecological practice as you conduct original research addressing key issues in environmental sectors, including biodiversity conservation, contaminant spread and infectious diseases, sustainability, and water quality. In this collaborative, interdisciplinary doctoral program, you will work alongside expert faculty across the sciences at Trent as well as affiliated government and non-governmental organizations. Hone your scientific and communication skills, while you generate new knowledge and contribute to research that will impact the future.
- Put your skills into practice through research workshops, teaching, mentoring, conferences, and research exchanges, while building connections for careers in academia, government, and industry.
- Learn from faculty across Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, and the School of the Environment, including Canada Research Chairs and an NSERC Senior Industrial Research Chair.
- Partner with industry professionals, international collaborators, and government scientists, including researchers from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
World Class Facilities
Gain hands-on experience with world-class instrumentation and research facilities including the Trent Water Quality Centre, the Institute for Watershed Science, and the Natural Resources DNA Profiling & Forensic Centre.
Become a catalyst for change in today’s “the Age of the Environment” creating knowledge and forging innovative approaches to crucial environmental challenges through interdisciplinary doctoral research.
Program Types
Eligibility Requirements
- Master's degree in Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline
- Minimum B+ (77%) or equivalent overall in the master's degree
Eligibility Requirements
- Master's degree in Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline
- Minimum B+ (77%) or equivalent overall in the master's degree
- Proof of English Proficiency: All international applicants must provide proof of an adequate level of English proficiency regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. Please visit our International Applicant Resource page for details on English Language Proficiency requirements.
- A GRE test score is not required for admission into this program
All applicants, domestic and international, must submit the following documents to complete their application:
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts
- 2 letters of reference: Academic references are preferred; however, professional references will be accepted. Reference forms will be emailed to the referees that you have appointed on OUAC
- Plan of Study/Personal Statement: 1-2 pages outlining your objectives in a graduate program. Any specific research interests, relevant experiences, and/or career aspirations can be included
- Detailed Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Citizenship (i.e. copy of passport or birth certificate)
- Supervisor: A confirmed supervisor must be selected as an admissions requirement for the program. Applicants must communicate with and confirm that the listed supervisor will supervise their graduate research. Please list your confirmed supervisor on your OUAC application and discuss this in your plan of study. Please visit the program’s Faculty and Research page for a listing of faculty and areas of research. Applicants are responsible for reaching out to a faculty member and confirming supervision.
For more information on submitting transcripts, re-sending reference links and other application questions, please visit our How to Apply page and review Step 4, as well as review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Eligible full-time students are offered minimum funding packages during their funded period of $26,000 annually. This includes a Graduate Teaching Assistantship employment offer valued at approximately $13,000 annually. Specific funding details are included in individual admission letters.
As of May 1, 2026, full-time international PhD students pay domestic tuition fees at the out-of-province rate.
Students are supported in competing for external awards during their studies, such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. A full list of external awards is available on our Scholarships & Awards page.
Trent has clear pathways for graduate students to apply and be admitted to study for their master's or doctorate at either of our campuses. Please review admission requirements for your program before applying.
My favourite part of the ENLS program was being able to work at nearby field sites to investigate global issues like the impacts of climate change on water resources. Being part of the rigorous and supportive community of interdisciplinary environmental scientists pushed me to develop as a researcher. I often reflect upon the excellent mentorship I received at Trent; as a faculty member at the University of Winnipeg, I now have the chance to mentor my own graduate students.
Dr. Greer is a member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada and is internationally recognized as a scholar dedicated to improving global infectious disease preparedness and response. Her research focuses on the intersection of epidemiology, ecology, and mathematics. The impact of her work is felt across sectors and borders preparing governments and industry to act quickly and decisively when the next outbreak hits human or animal populations.
Dr. Dang's research lab, EnIGMA (Environmental Isotope Geochemistry & Mass spectrometry Applications) investigates interactions between the environment and Humankind, focusing on environmental pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss through environmental and analytical chemistry. Using cutting-edge techniques, including ICP-MS for elemental and isotopic composition and SEM for microscopic morphology, our research addresses complex environmental dynamics in various ecosystems globally, e.g., the St. Lawrence Seaways, mangrove forests in Brazil and Vietnam, and the Mediterranean coastal regions.
Complete a research-intensive Ph.D. focused on a supervised thesis based on original research addressing critical environmental, conservation, and health issues. Students can pursue research in one of four fields of study, with full-time completion possible within four years.
Areas of academic research focus and faculty expertise
Trent's ENLS Ph.D. program offers an interdisciplinary research environment that brings together diverse perspectives and expertise across the environmental and life sciences. The program offers four fields of study:
- Earth Sciences, Natural Resources, and Agriculture
- Ecosystem Biogeochemistry and Trace Contaminants
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
- Genes, Cells, and Physiological Systems