Research Accounting Specialist II (Post-Award)

Inside Higher Ed; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in San Diego is seeking a Research Accounting Specialist II to manage financial post-award activities for sponsored research projects. The role involves ensuring compliance with sponsor regulations, preparing financial reports, and analyzing funding trends. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of experience in research administration and strong knowledge of federal regulations. Competitive salary and benefits are included.

Benefits

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Transit/parking program

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration or financial operations.
• At least 2 years of post-award management of sponsored projects.
• Strong knowledge of federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance/2 CFR 200) and sponsor-specific requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of complex projects ensuring compliance with sponsor terms and regulations.
• Independently prepare external financial reports for grant awards.
• Serve as the primary contact for PIs regarding financial management and compliance.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Knowledge of federal regulations

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

The Research Accounting Specialist II (RAS II) is responsible for the financial post-award management of a complex portfolio of sponsored research projects, including government grants, private agency/foundation awards, gifts, and internally funded initiatives. This role ensures compliance with sponsor terms and conditions, Institute policies, and federal regulations. The position operates in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, requiring strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Portfolio Management

• Review award documents to ensure compliance with sponsor terms, conditions, regulations, and restrictions.
• Manage a portfolio of complex projects (including institutional initiatives, center grants, and other multi-component awards) and grants that support multiple labs and core facilities.
• Maintain current knowledge of sponsor requirements and fiscal policies, and serve as a resource by researching, interpreting, and communicating funding agency guidance to RACT management, PIs and/or their designees as issues arise.
• Analyze current and historical funding and spending trends to identify budget surpluses or deficits by lab, grant, and budget category.
• Monitor expenditures across budget periods and the full life cycle of grants/gifts to ensure proper allocation and compliance.
• Review cash receipt allocations and monitor grant accounts receivable on a quarterly basis.
• Review and approve expenditure documents—including purchase orders, check requests, travel reimbursements, invoices, monthly recharges, and animal purchases—ensuring compliance with institutional policies and sponsor regulations.

• Reporting & Compliance

• Independently prepare and submit external financial reports for grant awards and gift agreements, ensuring compliance with diverse sponsor requirements and deadlines.
• Perform closeout actions on grant and gift funds as required.
• Prepare funding and expenditure analyses for budget forecasting to identify historical trends, supporting senior management and PIs in monitoring financial performance.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment in significant matters related to fund management and lab financial status, determining appropriate action plans in collaboration with PIs and administration.

• Communication and Collaboration

• Serve as the primary contact for Principal Investigators (PIs) and their designees on post-award research funding, financial management, compliance, and institutional policies.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge and independent judgment to interpret policies and guidelines, providing fiscal options and recommending actions that balance scientific needs with institutional and sponsor requirements.
• Respond promptly to inquiries from PIs, administrative management, and other departments, and communicate financial issues through meetings, calls, and written correspondence.
• Investigate and resolve grant-related data and financial issues, including delinquent payments, escalating matters to senior research accounting leadership when appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration or financial operations, including at least 2 years of post-award management of sponsored projects.
• Strong knowledge of federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance/2 CFR 200) and sponsor-specific requirements.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $72,750-$82,000 per annum. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries. The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace. Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but are not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.