PhD Position in Economics and Management: Consumer Neuroscience and Auditory Cues in Digital Marketing Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra in Slovakia

This PhD position at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra focuses on the intersection of consumer neuroscience and digital marketing, specifically examining how auditory cues influence consumer behaviour in online environments. The research will be supervised by doc. Ing. Jakub Berčík, PhD, at the Institute of Marketing, Trade and Social Studies. The dissertation will be written in Slovak and the study is full-time.

The project aims to analyze the impact of selected audio stimuli on emotional responses, consumer preferences, and decision-making processes in digital contexts. Traditional survey methods often fail to capture the real emotional and cognitive reactions of consumers to marketing stimuli, especially in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This research will employ innovative neuroscientific and biometric methods, including electroencephalography (EEG) and facial biometrics (Facereading), to capture unconscious emotional and cognitive reactions to audio stimuli.

Research activities will be conducted both in controlled laboratory settings and in applied digital scenarios that simulate real consumer interactions online. Data collected will include both structured and unstructured formats, processed using descriptive and inductive statistics, as well as other modern analytical procedures depending on the nature of the data. The findings are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of consumer decision-making mechanisms in digital environments and provide practical and theoretical insights for effective marketing communication management.

Applicants must have a Master degree or equivalent in Economics or a related field, and demonstrate proficiency in both English and Slovak. The position does not specify funding availability. The application deadline is 31 May 2026, and the position starts on 1 September 2026. For more information about the doctoral study, visit the university's doctoral study information pages. For research-related questions, contact the supervisor at [email protected]. Administrative queries can be directed to [email protected].

To apply, submit your application online via the university portal. Ensure you meet the degree and language requirements. The Faculty of Economics and Management is located at Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, Nitra, Slovakia.