Data & Reporting Specialist

About the role

CERN is seeking a Data & Reporting Specialist to join their team in Geneva, Switzerland. This full-time position focuses on managing, analyzing, and presenting data to support organizational decision-making across the facility. The role involves working with datasets drawn from both scientific research and administrative operations conducted at the laboratory. The specialist will ensure that reports are accurate, timely, and accessible to stakeholders at all levels of the organization. The position plays a central part in translating raw data into clear, actionable information that guides strategic and operational choices. The specialist will also participate in continuous improvement initiatives to refine reporting processes and adopt new tools as they become available.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Collect, clean, and validate data from multiple internal and external sources across the organization on a regular basis.
• Design and maintain reporting dashboards that visualize key performance indicators for leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Prepare periodic reports summarizing trends, anomalies, and actionable insights for management review and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with department heads to define reporting requirements, data collection methodologies, and expected delivery schedules.
• Ensure data integrity by implementing validation checks, error handling procedures, and documenting all data transformation processes.
• Develop automated reporting pipelines to reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and improve overall delivery timelines.
• Support ad hoc analysis requests from various teams and external collaborators requiring specialized data examination.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of data dictionaries, report templates, methodology guides, and all reporting assets.
• Participate in regular reviews of existing reporting frameworks and propose concrete improvements for greater efficiency.
• Coordinate with IT and data engineering teams to resolve data access issues and address quality concerns.
• Monitor data sources for changes that may affect existing reports and adjust methodologies accordingly.
• Train and guide junior staff members on data handling best practices and reporting standards.
• Liaise with external data providers and partners to ensure timely receipt of required datasets and documentation.
• Contribute to the development of data governance policies and standards that apply across reporting workflows.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience working with data analysis, reporting, or business intelligence in a professional environment.
• Strong understanding of data management principles, including data quality assurance, validation, and governance practices.
• Proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language commonly used for data processing and analysis.
• Hands-on experience designing and building reports or dashboards using relevant software tools and platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for presenting technical findings to non-technical audiences clearly.
• Proven ability to manage multiple reporting deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced setting.
• A university degree in a quantitative field such as statistics, mathematics, computer science, or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with working in an international, multicultural organization is considered a valuable asset for this role.
• Experience with version control systems and collaborative development practices for managing reporting code and scripts.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to other CERN sites or partner institutions for data collection and meetings.

Nice to have

• Experience with open-source data tools and platforms commonly used in research environments and scientific computing.
• Knowledge of version control systems such as Git for tracking changes in data pipelines and report code.
• Background in high-energy physics, particle science, or a related scientific domain is considered a strong plus.
• Exposure to cloud-based data storage and computing services for managing and processing large-scale datasets efficiently.

Skills & tools

• Data analysis and statistical methods for interpreting complex datasets and drawing meaningful conclusions.
• Report design and visualization techniques for presenting findings in a clear and structured format.
• Data cleaning and preprocessing techniques to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of all outputs.
• Spreadsheet and database query languages for extracting, transforming, and manipulating data from various sources.
• Version control and documentation practices that support reproducible reporting workflows and team collaboration.
• Project management and organizational skills for handling multiple concurrent reporting projects and deadlines.

Practical notes

• This role is based at CERN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and requires regular on-site presence at the facility.
• The position is full-time with standard working hours, though some flexibility may apply during peak reporting periods.
• Candidates should be prepared to work with diverse teams spanning scientific research, engineering, and administrative functions.
• The application process may include technical assessments, case study exercises, and interviews with hiring managers and team leads.

About the company

CERN runs the biggest particle physics lab globally. Founded in 1954, headquarters sit in Meyrin near Geneva, on the France Switzerland border. Membership includes 25 nations. Israel joined in 2013 and resides outside Europe. United Nations General Assembly status is observer. Scientific exploration drives operations. International collaboration defines culture. Roles span engineering, computing, and research. Opportunities attract diverse talent. Ambitions center on advancing knowledge. Work happens at the intersection of theory and experiment, supported by shared infrastructure and open science principles.