Job description

A full-time, three-year PhD position at the Institute of Health and Society as part of a project “How did the Antibiotic Pipeline Run Dry? People, Infrastructures and Politics of Antibiotic Drug Development 1970-2010” (DryAP).

The purpose of the fellowship is research training, leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The position is part of a new Norwegian Research Council-funded project (Research Projects for Scientific Renewal - known as Fripro - program) led by Christoph Gradmann at the University of Oslo.

Intended starting date is September 1st 2021.

DryAP is a historical project that will critically research the histories of antibiotic and drug development since about 1970, aiming to transform the notion of the empty pipeline from an often self-serving slogan to a historical concept.

DryAP, running from 2021 to 2025 is a project with partners in Denmark, France, Ireland and Spain, coming together in an effort to study various dimensions of a fundamental change that took a generation. Work packages in DryAP look at industrial laboratories, target definitions in drug development, culture collections, gender dynamics and how the empty pipeline figured in health policy debates. They will be pursued as PhD projects with the partners.

The successful candidate will do PhD work on Work Package 1 “Searching for new antibiotics at Bayer 1970 – 2005”. It takes its departure from the history of a major drug producing company that used to be a big name in inventing anti-infective medicines but gave up on the field in the early 2000s.

You can read more about the project on our website.

Qualification requirements

• Masters degree or equivalent, preferably in history or a related field. (The Master's Degree must have been obtained by the time of application. Only applicants with grade points A or B on the ECTS scale will be qualified for admission to the PhD program)
• Very good skills in German are a requirement
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Skills in Norwegian are preferable
• Ability to engage critically and creatively with relevant theoretical and conceptual frameworks within the history of medicine and science, as well as related fields relevant to the project
• Previous experience in archival work in the field of contemporary history is an advantage
• Familiarity with the histories of medicine, pharmaceutical industry or the life sciences would be an asset

Personal skills

• Highly motivated
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to thrive in an international team of contemporary historians

We offer

• Salary from kr 482 200 to kr 545 300 (Ltr 54 - 61) depending on qualifications in position as PhD candidate (position code 1017)
• Funds for:
  • Research
  • Conference participation and dissemination
  • Books and equipment
  • Travel
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• An academically stimulating working environment in Oslo through the research group for Medical History and Medical Anthropology at the University of Oslo/Helsam and intensive contact into the European network that carries the DryAP project

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Project description/research proposal, including a specification of research focus, methodological strategies and progress plan (maximum 3000 words)
• Copies of educational certificates, both bachelor and masters (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications
• One piece of written work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Description of qualifications in dissemination, management and administration
• List of 2-3 reference persons (name, institution, e-mail, telephone number and relation to candidate)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system.

International applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented qualifications, the project description, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged, either in person in Oslo or digitally.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

The University of Oslo wishes to appoint more women to permanent academic positions. Women are encouraged to apply. The University of Oslo also wishes to appoint more people from ethnic minorities to permanent academic positions. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contactinformation

• Professor Dr Christoph Gradmann, phone number: +47 48420261, e-mail: christoph.gradmann@medisin.uio.no

For questions related to the electronic recruitment process: HR Adviser Pia Kristina den Boer; e-mail: p.k.d.boer@medisin.uio.no.

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