PhD in Sociology: Power, governance, and the political economy of fighting antimicrobial resistance

PhD in Sociology: Power, governance, and the political economy of fighting antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health challenge, requiring interdisciplinary collaboration. This PhD position invites you to study questions of governance and national control within global pharmaceutical system.

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About the position

The Department of Sociology and Political Science (ISS) has a vacancy for a PhD research fellow in sociology. This position is suited for candidates interested in critical and interpretive approaches to the study of knowledge, power, science and technology in society, and in exploring how interactions between markets, science, state and regulation shape a society’s ability to enact national control and access to crucial pharmaceuticals in times of crisis.

The PhD candidate will work as part of four closely coordinated PhD projects in the NTNU interdisciplinary research project “Preparedness and Response to AMR, the silent pandemic” led by Professor Marit Otterlei, Department of Clinical and Molecular medicine (IKOM), and Professor Heidrun Åm, Department for Sociology and Political Science (ISS). The project is part of NTNU’s research initiative “A more resilient society.” You will also become a member of the research group “Technology and social change” at ISS and ISS’ junior scholar seminars. Thus, the position offers excellent opportunities for academic development, research collaboration, conference participation, international publication, and engagement with societal actors. In this manner, you will gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education, research and other sectors requiring analytic and interdisciplinary skills, both within and outside academia.

The position is for four years. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The AMR market is characterized by ‘market failure’ and a concentration of production in few countries, raising the question of security of supply in the case of war or trade disagreements. Policy action and much previous AMR social science scholarship focuses on reducing antibiotics use. This project will more specifically investigate the politics of pharmaceutical innovation, including the development of incentives for new antibiotics, as well as how the pharmaceutical industry is organized, which innovation models dominate, how pharmaceutical markets are structured, and how procurement regimes and regulations shaping market dynamics and supply trajectories. We assume that alternative market structures and the development of non-commercial tools can be an important element of overcoming some of the challenges in AMR and for becoming independent in times of crisis.

What is the relationship between the state and the market in securing critical resources and infrastructures? What are the conditions of possibility for antibiotic sovereignty? Based on economic and political sociology, Science and Technology Studies (STS), and critical political economy, and situated within the Norwegian context, the project shall provide an analysis of central political, institutional, and economic logics of fighting AMR, and empirical insights into the vulnerabilities and constraints shaping access to and development of antibiotics and diagnostic tools.

The project is conceptualized as a qualitative, multi-sited ethnography. The idea is that the PhD candidate starts with a literature and policy analysis to establish the state of the art and specify research questions, and a laboratory ethnography to familiarize themselves with the materials and infrastructures involved in the development of antibiotics and diagnostics. Starting with an analysis of Norway’s 2022 evaluation of state antibiotic production, the candidate is expected, in a second step, to complement the policy analysis with interviews with policymakers, experts, and health bureaucrats to elicit the barriers that they encounter.

Applicants are expected to develop a proposal that explains what you consider the societal relevance of this topic, as well as how you plan to contribute to the project’s agenda, suggesting relevant theoretical perspectives, and your thoughts on research design and the way forward. We particularly welcome proposals that engage critically with questions of markets, power, and democracy, and that demonstrate conceptual ambition. Either in the attached application letter or project outline, you are encouraged to demonstrate some familiarity with ongoing debates on pharmaceutics and explain your personal motivation for the topic.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education (Sociology – Programme Components – Social Sciences - NTNU) until obtaining a doctorate
• Develop and carry out an independent research project, including data collection, analysis, and academic writing, representing high-quality research within the framework described above.
• Contribute to collaborative research activities and meetings within the project and the “Antimicrobial Resistance”-team
• 25% career-enhancing work such as organizing interdisciplinary seminars, workshop planning, teaching, examination work, or bachelor supervision in relevant study programs at the Department
• Publish and disseminate research in peer-reviewed journals and/or through a monograph, as well as at conferences, and through relevant public venues.
• Actively contribute to the research group “Technology and social change” and ISS’ academic and social environment.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences, workshops, and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. The PhD is obliged to conform with the regulations concerning changes and developments within the position, and/or the organizational changes concerning activities at NTNU.

Required selection criteria

To be qualified for this position you must fulfill the following criteria.

• Master's degree in Sociology or Science and Technology Studies (STS), or from adjacent fields, such as Political Science, Social Anthropology, or similar.
• Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where normally 120 ECTS credits have been obtained at master's level. The Master's degree must include an independent research project equivalent to a Master's thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits. Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position. The position must be taken up no later than august 2027.
• Strong academic background from your previous studies with an average grade from your master's degree, or equivalent education, equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can demonstrate particular suitability for a doctoral study on the theme.
• Meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme in Social Science.
• Proficiency i English

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application.”

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• The quality and relevance of the project outline will be an important part of the overall assessment of candidates.
• Documented experience with interpretive, qualitative data collection and analysis, favorably ethnographic approaches and/or interpretive policy analysis.
• Good oral and written communication skills in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish.
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following topics: Critical policy studies/Interpretive policy analysis; Science, technology, medicine, and the state; Societal risk and resilience, Political sociology and/or Economic sociology; Sociological studies of markets; Critical political economy; social sciences and medicine; Innovation paths and regulatory challenges; Political economy of producing pharmaceuticals
• A good understanding of Norwegian public administration and/or European policy
• Experience from research, or as research or teaching assistant.
• Experience from interdisciplinary work

Personal characteristics

Completing a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) can be demanding. Therefore, we expect that you:

• Are intellectually curious and strongly motivated for the subject.
• Are able to work independently, structured, and take initiative.
• Are eager to discuss your research, collaborate and invite others in.
• Have strong professional and analytical skills.
• Have high work capacity.
• Are open to feedback and willing to develop your ideas through discussion and collaboration with project members, colleagues and supervisors.
• Be flexible to adjust the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working expenses funding that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem-solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is four years.

For employment as a PhD research fellow, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Social Sciences within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.
For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after the assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application.

The application and required attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above, and include all required attachments. If you have used AI when applying for this position: You must specify in the application in what way AI has been used when writing your application. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:

• An application letter that specifies your motivation for the position (both for pursuing a PhD generally and for the specific topic) and that describes your academic background and you as a person (1 page)
• CV
• Project outline containing an overall description of how you would approach the proposed research project explaining the societal relevance for exploring this topic, suggesting a research problem definition and relevant theoretical perspectives, and your thoughts on research design and the way forward (maximum 1500 words).
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees
• Copy of master's thesis and other relevant publications. If you have not yet submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Possible certificates and relevant publications, or other scholarly work
• Names and contact information of three referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses a “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified applicant, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, we encourage you to apply!

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Heidrun Åm, telephone: +47 47711797, e-mail: heidrun.aam@ntnu.no
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Morten Carlson, e-mail: morten.carlson@ntnu.no

Application deadline: 20.11.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.