PhD Position on the History of Medical Plastics in Healthcare University of Oslo in Norway

The University of Oslo’s Institute of Health and Society is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on the history of medical plastics in healthcare. This opportunity is part of the Wellcome Trust-funded Discovery Grant project ‘After the Single Use: Rethinking Medical Devices for Reuse, Resilience and Renewal’, a five-year international research collaboration spanning eight countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the US. The project aims to critically examine the history, circulation, and disposal of single-use plastics in global healthcare, with the goal of understanding the normalization of disposability and exploring pathways toward more sustainable, circular healthcare economies.

As a PhD fellow, you will join an interdisciplinary team of anthropologists and historians, working closely with the Norwegian project lead, Professor Anne Kveim Lie, and collaborating with the NGO Health Care Without Harm. Your research will center on a historical and potentially ethnographic investigation of a disposable medical device of your choice, tracing its emergence, commercialization, and integration into healthcare practice. You will analyze how social, cultural, and institutional changes have shaped the adoption and normalization of single-use plastics in healthcare, and contribute to broader project activities including stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, and impact events related to medical plastics governance in Norway.

The position is based at the Section for Medical Humanities within the Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, a vibrant and internationally oriented environment that fosters collaboration across medicine, social sciences, and the humanities. You will have opportunities to develop your research profile, publish academic work, present at conferences, and participate in project workshops and meetings. The appointment is full-time for three years, with the possibility of extension to four years for teaching or other qualification work.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree in social sciences, humanities, medicine, or health sciences, with demonstrated experience in social science or humanities research. Excellent English proficiency, strong organizational and academic writing skills, and the ability to communicate complex information are required. Additional advantages include proficiency in Norwegian or Sami, interdisciplinary experience, knowledge of the history or social science of plastics, and event support experience. The University of Oslo is committed to diversity, inclusion, and providing relevant workplace accommodations.

The position offers a competitive salary (NOK 550,800–610,000 per year), membership in Norway’s leading pension scheme, welfare benefits, and career development opportunities. The application deadline is 15th February 2026. To apply, submit your application via Jobbnorge, including a CV, transcripts, references, writing sample, and personal statement. All documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. For further information, contact Professor Anne Kveim Lie at [email protected].

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in the intersection of medical history, sustainability, and global health to contribute to impactful research and join a dynamic international team in Oslo.