Research Administrator 3/Financial Analyst - TP140930

Position available through UC San Diego Temporary Employment Services (TES). TES employment includes medical coverage, paid vacation & sick time, paid holidays, as well as training and development opportunities.

About the role

UC San Diego is hiring a temporary Research Administrator to support campus operations for the 2026-2027 School Year. This role is anticipated to last 6+ months and is full-time (100% appointment).

Pay

$36.01 to $42.62 per hour. Eligible for paid holidays and vacation/sick leave. Full medical insurance is also available.

Schedule

8 hours per day, hybrid (2 days in the office on La Jolla Campus). Work hours are 8:00am - 4:30pm or flexible.

Responsibilities

• Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and/or oversee research proposals, awards, and/or transactions related to contract and grant management.
• Maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies.
• Works on proposals and awards of diverse scope where analysis of data requires thorough understanding of complex regulations.
• Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official.
• Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and/or multiple sub-awards.
• Guides less experienced staff.
• Provides analytical and financial support in proposal processing, contract and grant administration, and budget development, including:
  • Pre-award proposal initiatives.
  • Management of funds post-award.
  • Closeout activities for federal, state, local, and private sponsors.
• Coordinates and identifies research portfolios by performing some or all of the following:
  • Developing and/or presenting proposals, contracts, and other agreements.
  • Reviewing proposals to ensure institutional compliance.
  • Negotiating, administering, and monitoring contract and grant awards, including compliance with regulations, terms, and conditions.
  • Financial management and reporting.
  • Sub-award/subcontract issuance and administration.
• Handles complex proposals involving one or more of the following:
  • Multiple departments or institutions (subawards).
  • Significant institutional cost-sharing.
  • Institutional commitment proposals.
  • Responsive to award agency proposal requirements (RFP, RFA, PA).
  • Numerous integrated projects, Program Project, or Center applications.
  • Training grant applications and Contracts.
  • Extensive variety of agencies and awarding entities.
  • Significant and unique reporting requirements.
  • Significant equipment acquisition or fabrication.
  • Performance milestones.
• Day-to-day primary duties:
  • Post-award fund management:
    • Checking the financial health of accounts.
    • Creating financial expense reports for PIs and Sponsors.
    • Meeting with and communicating financials of sponsored project funds, due dates, milestones, etc.
    • Review/approval of requisitions and expense reports in Concur.
  • Pre-award support:
    • Review of sponsor RFA.
    • Creating task lists for PIs.
    • Creating budgets and supporting submissions.
    • Collaborating with PI and team.
  • Contract & recharge management, including creating contracts, customers, and invoicing.

Requirements

• Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
• Knowledgeable about Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, and application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration.
• Ability to perform moderately complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
• Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration (Pre-Award and Post-Award).
• Knowledge of common sponsored award mechanisms and skills to gather and analyze resource data from various sources.
• Research Administrator Certificate Program preferred.
• Working knowledge of or familiarity with other UCSD Core administrative computer systems, such as Kuali, UCPath, Concur, and Oracle Financial preferred.
• Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal, and reporting principles.

Special Conditions

• Background check and references required.
• This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Immediate reporting of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect of anyone under the age of 18 is required. Mandated Reporters must complete and submit required reports to the UC San Diego Police Department without delay.