Research Administrator

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,180 - 133,770; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Santa Barbara seeks a Research Financial Analyst to oversee pre- and post‑award administration for its Chemistry and Biochemistry department and the Division of Mathematical, Life and Physical Sciences. Location: CHEM BLDG 232; Hybrid modality; salary: $75,180–$77,180 (budgeted) with full range up to $133,770.

The role involves budgeting, burn-rate analysis, and coordination with Sponsored Projects Office to ensure compliance with sponsor and university policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 1–3 years applying financial policies to job duties.
• 1–3 years researching administration in a university setting.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, UC, and agency policies for contract and grant administration.

Responsibilities

• 70% Contract and Grant Post‑Award Administration: manage financial lifecycle of complex awards, budget setup, fund allocation, expenditure monitoring, reconciliation, closeout, and audit-ready documentation; collaborate with campus offices.
• 30% Contract and Grant Pre‑Award Administration: prepare departmental proposals, manage subcontracts and multi-campus agreements, advise on staffing, salaries, and budgets, ensure timely submission, and maintain accurate award documentation.

Skills

Financial policies

Research administration

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Divisional Research Services Manager and Department Business Officer, the Research Financial Analyst (RFA) oversees and manages pre‑ and post‑award administration of approximately $24M in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and across the Division of Mathematical, Life and Physical Sciences. The RFA manages all aspects of C&A administration, provides P.I. direction on research proposal preparation for multiple funding agencies, advises on budgeting strategies, tracks expenditures, and ensures compliance with sponsor, federal, and university policies. The role supports UCSB’s research mission through expert fiscal stewardship and coordination with faculty and central offices.

Location: CHEM BLDG 232; Hybrid (UC & Non‑UC locations).
Salary: Budgeted $75,180–$77,180 per year (full range $75,180–$133,770).
Benefits: Full Benefits eligibility; Working Days: M‑F, 8 am‑5 pm.

Responsibilities

• 70% Contract and Grant Post‑Award Administration: The RFA independently manages the financial lifecycle of complex awards, including budget setup, fund allocation, expenditure monitoring, award reconciliation, and closeout. Responsibilities include contract and grant post‑award administration, general ledger reconciliation, transaction review and approval, budget monitoring, forecasting, cost transfers, subaward and contract administration, ensuring compliance with sponsor and federal regulations, and providing detailed financial reports and burn‑rate analysis to Principal Investigators. The RFA also provides training and guidance to departmental staff and junior RFA staff, maintains audit‑ready documentation, and collaborates with Sponsored Projects Office, Extramural Funds Accounting, Payroll, Procurement, and Accounts Payable.
• 30% Contract and Grant Pre‑Award Administration: The RFA submits departmental proposals to multiple funding agencies, manages subcontracts and multi‑campus agreements, and serves as the primary liaison for over 30 P.I.s and various institutional partners. Responsibilities include interpreting agency policies, developing detailed budgets, advising on staffing, salaries, fringe benefits, equipment, travel, and special items, resolving funding questions, revising budgets during negotiations, ensuring timely submission, and administering all extramural and intramural awards. The RFA works closely with Sponsored Projects Office and other campus partners to maintain accurate award documentation and administration.

Required Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience with financial systems.
• Ability to work effectively under the pressure of deadlines.
• Adaptability to changing priorities and multi‑tasking in a high‑volume environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical, critical‑thinking, and organizational skills.

Special Conditions of Employment

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

Compliance & Policies

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: The final candidate will be required to disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years that determine misconduct or any appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy: As a condition of employment, you must comply with the University of California policy on vaccination programs, including proof of up‑to‑date vaccinations or an exemption request, and comply with any applicable public health directives.

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

The University of California endeavors to make the application process accessible to all users. For accessibility assistance, contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805‑893‑4664 or email [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about application status.

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