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, historians, and health researchers, contributing to a bold initiative that seeks to develop new research fields at the intersection of medical waste, environmental health, and social science. The Norwegian team, based at the Section for Medical Humanities within the Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, provides a dynamic and internationally oriented environment, fostering collaboration across medicine, social sciences, and the humanities.

Your research will involve a historical (and potentially ethnographic) case study of a disposable medical device of your choice, tracing its emergence, commercialization, and integration into healthcare practice. You will investigate how such devices became normalized, the social and cultural processes influencing their adoption, and their impact on health systems and the environment. The project encourages innovative methodologies, including archive research, oral history interviews, stakeholder mapping, and grey literature reviews. You will work closely with the Norwegian project lead, Professor Anne Kveim Lie, and collaborate with the NGO Health Care Without Harm, contributing to both academic publications and broader project outputs such as policy briefings and public engagement activities.

The position is full-time for three years, with the possibility of extension to four years for teaching or other qualification work. You will be expected to actively participate in project workshops, conferences, and regular meetings, and may have opportunities for international travel. The role also offers the chance to develop teaching experience and other competencies relevant to your future career.

Funding and Benefits: The position offers a competitive salary (NOK 550,800–610,000 per year), membership in Norway’s Statens Pensjonskasse pension scheme, and attractive welfare benefits. The University of Oslo provides a supportive and inclusive work environment, with access to professional development, exercise during working hours, and career advancement opportunities.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in social science, humanities, medicine, or health science, with demonstrated experience in social science or humanities research. Excellent English proficiency (written and oral) is required. Additional skills in Norwegian or Sami, interdisciplinary research, sustainability in health, and event organization are advantageous. All application materials must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Application Process: Applications must be submitted via the Jobbnorge system. Required documents include a CV (max 2 pages), full university transcript, two academic references, a writing sample (4,000–10,000 words), and a personal statement addressing your interest, experience, and proposed research approach. The deadline for applications is 15th February 2026.

For further information, contact Professor Anne Kveim Lie at [email protected]. The University of Oslo is committed to equality, inclusion, and diversity, and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

For full details and to apply, visit: Jobbnorge PhD Position.