We have an opportunity for a Workforce Analytics & Reporting Specialist to join the HR team at EMBL, and play a central role in transforming how we use data to understand, plan and support our workforce.
This is an interesting position for someone who is passionate about turning HR data into meaningful insights, enjoys building high‑quality reports and dashboards, and wants to contribute to evidence‑based decision‑making in a world‑leading scientific organisation.
The primary purpose of this role is to deliver high‑quality workforce analytics, reporting and data insights that support strategic and operational decision‑making across EMBL. The ideal candidate will partner with various business stakeholders to develop and deliver accurate, efficient, and user-friendly reporting solutions that support business decisions and compliance needs. Because Workday is EMBL’s core HR system and primary source of workforce data, strong Workday reporting expertise including Workday Report Developer experience, building Workday simple, advanced and matrix reports as well as Dashboards and Alerts will be essential for the role.
Your role
Reporting to the Head of HR, you will help us to ensure HR data, reporting and systems are reliable, scalable, user-centred and aligned with EMBL’s strategic priorities.
Over this 12 month period you will be responsible for:
Producing high‑quality workforce analytics to support strategic planning and operational decision‑making
Providing leaders with clear, actionable insights on workforce trends, talent gaps, engagement, turnover and succession
Strengthening data governance, privacy and ethical use of analytics and AI.
Designing, building, testing, and maintaining custom reports in Workday (Advanced, Matrix, Composite, BIRT, and dashboards).
Responding to data and insight requests from HR, leadership and scientific units
Ensuring data quality and consistency across workforce datasets
Translating business requirements into scalable reporting solutions.
Maintaining security for reports, ensuring compliance with data governance and privacy policies.
Troubleshooting reporting issues, optimising performance, and providing user support.
Creating calculated fields and configuring Workday report prompts as needed.
Supporting Workday upgrades and new module implementations by validating and updating reports.
Documenting reporting processes, data definitions, and training materials for end users.
You have
Strong hands-on experience with HR systems in complex, multi-site environments (Workday highly desirable).
Proven ability to turn complex data into strategic insight for senior leaders.
Advanced Excel skills and strong understanding of data governance and analytics best practice.
A strategic, curious and pragmatic mindset, with the ability to challenge the status quo and simplify complexity.
Solid fundamental understanding on the Workday application
In depth understanding of Workday Reporting Functionality, Dashboards, Security, and business processes
Minimum 3 years of experience implementing and or working with Workday HCM
You have a strong expertise in cross functional dependencies in Workday
You might also have
Deep functional knowledge of Workday HCM modules, Prism Analytics or Adaptive Planning.
Led at least one end-to-end Workday optimisation or implementation, successfully reconciling multi-site or cross-system data discrepancies.
Advanced proficiency in data visualisation tools (Tableau, Power BI or Workday Discovery Boards) to create compelling visual narratives beyond standard reporting.
Knowledge of Workday configuration
Knowledge of Workday Studio, EIBs, and reporting tools
Knowledge about Workday Admin Hubs and Dashboards
Why this role matters
This role will shape how EMBL understands, plans for and invests in its people. With strong leadership focus on data and insight, you will have real influence over strategic decisions and the success of our HR modernisation journey.
Contract length: 12 months.
Salary: Grade 5 or 6. Monthly salary from £3,303 or 3,695 after tax but excluding class 3 national insurance contributions (17.75 per week) (UK) or €4,031 or €4,580 after tax (Germany).
Location: Ideally this position will be based at least 3-days per week at either our Hinxton or Heidelberg sites.
Why join us
EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.
We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.
Campus life & benefits:
Attractive income tax free salary and full inclusion in the national system including related benefits
Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns
Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays
Campus life: Free shuttle bus (Heidelberg),library, subsidised on-site cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
Family benefits: On-site Kindergarten (Heidelberg), maternity leave and holiday clubs on campus
What else you need to know
EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here
Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.
How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date shown below.
Closing Date
09/07/2026