Pahl Center Academic Administrator

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA, seeks an Academic Administrator I or II to lead financial management and administrative coordination for the Pahl Center for the Study of Critical Social Issues. You will oversee day-to-day operations, coordinate Pahl Scholar activities, and manage programming and public events.

You will teach three courses annually in the Division of Social Sciences, helping students engage in research-based learning on social issues, while liaising

Qualifications

• A PhD degree (or equivalent international degree) in a social sciences or related humanities/social sciences discipline, in fields such as Communication, Anthropology, Sociology, at the time of application.
• At least one year of professional experience coordinating academic, research, or public-facing programs by the start date.
• Demonstrated familiarity with social sciences research on critical social issues (e.g., inequality, immigration, housing, public health, public safety, mental health, or related areas of high public interest).
• Excellent teaching record in the broad area of community engagement, research methods, and or topical areas within the candidate's discipline.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate academic research for non-specialist audiences.
• Strong project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate across faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Proficiency with standard productivity and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom), web content management, and basic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting a broad community of students, faculty, and public stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial management and administrative coordination for the Center as an Academic Administrator.
• Handle day-to-day operations of the Center and coordinate Pahl Scholar activities.
• Manage the Center's research programming and public events.
• Support student research engagement.
• Serve as the Center's liaison to UCSB faculty, students, and staff.
• Teach three courses a year in the Division of Social Sciences to support student learning in social issue research.

Skills

Teaching experience

Written communication

Verbal communication

Project management

Community engagement

Non-specialist translation of research

Education

PhD in social sciences or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Zoom

Web content management

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Academic Administrator I or II

Salary range: A reasonable estimated full-time rate for this position at 100% time is $79,654 - $96,024. For full salary range see Table 34

Percent time: 100%

Position duration: One year with the possibility of reappointment.

Application Window

Open date: September 9, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Sunday, Jan 31, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Pahl Center for the Study of Critical Social Issues advances rigorous, publicly engaged, data-driven research on the most pressing social challenges of our time. The Center cultivates faculty-led research projects, supports the annual Pahl Scholar award, and provides mentored research and training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Under the general direction of the Faculty Director of the Pahl Center, the successful candidate will oversee financial management and administrative coordination for the Center as an Academic Administrator. Responsibilities include day-to-day operations, coordinating Pahl Scholar activities, managing the Center's research programming and public events, supporting student research engagement, and serving as the Center's liaison to UCSB faculty, students, and staff. The successful candidate will teach three courses a year in the Division of Social Sciences aimed at supporting students in research-based learning around social issues.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A PhD degree (or equivalent international degree) in a social sciences or related humanities/social sciences discipline, in fields such as Communication, Anthropology, Sociology, at the time of application

Preferred qualifications

1. At least one year of professional experience coordinating academic, research, or public-facing programs by the start date.
2. Demonstrated familiarity with social sciences research on critical social issues (e.g., inequality, immigration, housing, public health, public safety, mental health, or related areas of high public interest).
3. Excellent teaching record in the broad area of community engagement, research methods, and or topical areas within the candidate's discipline.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate academic research for non-specialist audiences.
5. Strong project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate across faculty, staff, and external partners.
6. Proficiency with standard productivity and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom), web content management, and basic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
7. Demonstrated commitment to supporting a broad community of students, faculty, and public stakeholders.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

References will only be contacted for candidates who are interviewed.

Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Aff...

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Job location

Santa Barbara, California