PhD Position in Neuroeconomic Analysis of Auditory Stimuli on Consumer Decision-Making Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra in Slovakia

This PhD position at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra offers an exciting opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research in neuroeconomics, focusing on the impact of auditory stimuli on consumer decision-making. The project is based at the Institute of Statistics, Operations Research and Mathematics and supervised by doc. Ing. Renáta Benda Prokeinová, PhD. The research will explore how characteristics of the sound environment—such as tempo, frequency, tonality, and intensity of music—affect emotional activation, cognitive processing, and economic behavior.

The dissertation will employ tools from neuroeconomics, experimental economics, and advanced econometric modeling. The empirical component involves controlled laboratory experiments where auditory stimuli are systematically manipulated. Neurophysiological responses will be measured using EEG, GSR, and eye tracking, capturing attention, emotional arousal, and visual fixation during decision-making. Behavioral data including product selection, reaction time, price sensitivity, and willingness to pay will also be collected.

Analytical methods will include discrete choice models (logit and mixed logit) to identify preference heterogeneity and quantify the effects of auditory characteristics on product choice probability. Structural modeling will be used to estimate willingness to pay based on experimental data. The expected outcome is to extend neuroeconomic theory to auditory perception and its economic consequences, providing empirically grounded recommendations for optimizing sound environments in manufacturing, retail, and services. The research is part of the APVV-23-0244 project, which focuses on consumer neuroscience and innovative research solutions in sensory perception of audio stimuli.

The study programme is Agrarian Trade and Marketing, and the dissertation can be written in Slovak or English. Both full-time and part-time study options are available. Applicants should have a Master degree or equivalent in Economics or a related field and be proficient in English and Slovak. The position does not specify funding or stipend details. The application deadline is 31 May 2026, and the expected start date is 1 September 2026.

For more information, visit the doctoral study information pages or contact the supervisor and administrative staff. Applications should be submitted online via the university portal.