[1] Smyth obtained his BSc degree in biochemistry from the Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom, in 1972, and his PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of London in 1976.
In 1981 Smyth was appointed to a lectureship in analytical chemistry at Dublin City University.
He then became a senior lecturer at Dublin City University in 1985, and took over as head of the School of Chemical Sciences between 1990 and 1993.
In 1990 Smyth was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) from the Queen's University of Belfast.
In 1992 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry at Dublin City University, and in 1995 took over as dean of the Faculty of Science & Health.