Research Administrator

UC Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Santa Barbara seeks a Research Financial Analyst to oversee the pre- and post-award administration of approximately $24.0M in research funding for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and across the Division of Mathematical, Life and Physical Sciences. Located in Santa Barbara, the role supports contract and grant activities within CHEM BLDG 232, M‑F; 8 am – 5 pm.

Responsibilities include managing post-award C&G activities, budget monitoring, and ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.
• 1–3 years applying financial policies to mandatory obligations.
• 1–3 years research administration at a university setting.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, UC, and agency-specific contract and grant administration regulations, including OMB Uniform Guidance.

Responsibilities

• Contract and Grant Post‑Award Administration – manage all aspects of C&G administration, including general ledger reconciliation, transaction review and approval, budget monitoring, cost transfers, subaward and contract administration, and sponsor compliance.
• Contract and Grant Pre‑Award Administration – submit departmental proposals to multiple funding agencies, develop detailed budgets, advise Principal Investigators on staffing, supplies, and other costs, and coordinate with the Office of Research and other partners to ensure timely, accurate submissions.

Skills

Financial policy knowledge

Research administration

OMB Uniform Guidance

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Position Title

Research Financial Analyst (RFA)

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Divisional Research Services Manager and Department Business Officer, the RFA oversees the pre‑ and post‑award administration of approximately $24.0M in research funding for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and across the Division of Mathematical, Life and Physical Sciences.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract and Grant Post‑Award Administration – 70%: manage all aspects of C&G administration, including general ledger reconciliation, transaction review and approval, budget monitoring, cost transfers, subaward and contract administration, and sponsor compliance. Provide guidance and training to staff and invest obligations.
• Contract and Grant Pre‑Award Administration – 30%: submit departmental proposals to multiple funding agencies, develop detailed budgets, advise Principal Investigators on staffing, supplies, and other costs, and coordinate with the Office of Research and other partners to ensure timely, accurate submissions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience/training.
• 1–3 years applying financial policies and procedures to mandatory obligations.
• 1–3 years in research administration at a university setting.
• In‑depth knowledge of federal, UC, and agency‑specific contract and grant administration regulations, including OMB Uniform Guidance.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1–3 years experience with financial systems.
• Ability to work effectively under deadline pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, strong analytical, critical‑thinking and organizational skills.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Satisfactory criminal history background check.
• UCSB is a tobacco‑free environment.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

Final candidates must disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed misconduct, or any appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Reasonable Accommodations

For assistance with accessibility, contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805‑893‑4664 or e‑mail [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Benefits Eligibility

Full benefits eligibility applies to this position.

Work Location & Hours

CHEM BLDG 232, M‑F; 8 am – 5 pm.