PhD Position in Economics and Management: Adaptive Audio Stimulation and Mental Ergonomics Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra in Slovakia

This PhD position at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, offered through the Institute of Marketing, Trade and Social Studies, focuses on the impact of adaptive audio stimulation on human psychological and neurocognitive functions, with a special emphasis on its application in mental ergonomics systems within trade and services. The research aims to investigate how controlled audio stimulation affects attention, emotional regulation, stress, and mental performance, particularly under conditions of increased stress in retail and service environments.

The project will employ an experimental design, combining explicit methods such as questionnaire scales, cognitive tests, and reaction time measurements with implicit psychophysiological techniques including EEG, heart rate variability, and galvanic skin response. The goal is to identify the mechanisms by which various musical and sound stimuli influence information processing, concentration, and subjective well-being among employees and users in these environments.

Findings from this research will contribute to the development of an adaptive audio stimulation model, enabling personalized stimulation protocols. The results are expected to be applicable in the creation of intelligent mental ergonomics systems, especially AI-controlled relaxation and regeneration boxes designed for workplace settings in the retail and service sectors.

The dissertation will be written in Slovak, and the study is full-time. The supervisor for this position is doc. Ing. Jakub Berčík, PhD. The research field is Economics and Management, with the study programme focusing on Agrarian Trade and Marketing. Applicants should have a Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics or a related discipline, and proficiency in both English and Slovak is required.

For more information about the doctoral study programme, visit the university’s doctoral study information pages. The application deadline is 31 May 2026, and the position is set to start on 1 September 2026. While no explicit funding or stipend is mentioned, candidates are encouraged to contact the supervisor for research-related questions and the administrative contact for application procedures.

To apply, submit your application online via the university portal. Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements and prepare the necessary documents. For further details, refer to the provided links and contact emails.