Research Administrator 3 (5264C), SHARE Region #88756

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UC Benefits

Remote work option

Job summary

The University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Research Administrator 3 to provide analytical and financial support for pre-award proposals, contract and grant administration, and budget development for sponsors at federal, state, local and private levels.

This role includes forecasting, planning, and managing research portfolios, coordinating with the Sponsored Projects Office, and ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines and campus policies.

Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.
• Ability to manage a significant volume of transactions.
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

Responsibilities

• Organizes, plans, establishes and monitors fiscal budget control of contracts and grants administration, gifts, endowments and privately funded projects for faculty research programs.
• Ensures complete and accurate collection of research administration at all stages of the contract and grant life cycle.
• Provides standard financial reports and projections for contracts and grants of moderate complexity.
• Independently analyzes transactions to identify and resolve discrepancies, to identify potential overdrafts and to resolve and prevent overdrafts going forward.
• Coordinates hiring of research personnel and tracking of their transactions to ensure they are on the correct chartstring and submits Funding Entry and Direct Retro templates in UCPath for these transactions.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budget planning

Contract & grant administration

Communication skills

Spreadsheet software

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Tools

UCPath

Spreadsheet software

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

Berkeley Regional Services (BRS) is comprised of five (5) Regions which provide services to specific "groupings/clusters" of schools, colleges, and organized research units (4 academic, 1 all other). This regional approach to providing administrative services is intended to improve service quality by re-establishing personal connections and to develop more local expertise.

Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, ORUs & SpAce Sciences Lab, UndergRaduate Studies, ChEmistry (SHARE)– is part of Berkeley Regional Services, within the division of the Vice Chancellor for Administration. Our mission at SHARE is simple. We aim to provide the Human Resources, Research Administration, Purchasing & Reimbursement services that departments and ORUs in our region require - in a timely and efficient manner, with minimal hand-offs and a culture of collaborative improvement.

We will work hard to establish relationships with you as well as processes and services that will create a productive environment in support of the university’s mission of excellence in teaching and research.

Position Summary

The Research Administrator 3 provides analytical and financial support in processing grant proposals, contract and grant administration, and budget development, including pre-award proposal initiatives, management of funds post-award, and closeout activities for federal, state, local and private sponsors. This position performs activities associated with forecasting, planning, and managing of research portfolios, including coordinating, identifying, and developing proposals, contracts, and other agreements. The Research Administrator 3 reviews proposals to ensure institutional compliance, negotiates and monitors contract and grant awards, manages financial reporting, and handles sub award/subcontract issuance and administration.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is September 23, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

35%

• Organizes, plans, establishes and monitors fiscal budget control of contracts and grants administration, gifts, endowments and privately funded projects for faculty research programs.


• Ensures complete and accurate collection of research administration at all stages of the contract and grant life cycle.


• Provides standard financial reports and projections for contracts and grants of moderate complexity.

35%

• Independently analyzes transactions to identify and resolve discrepancies, to identify potential overdrafts and to resolve and prevent overdrafts going forward.


• For research funds, assure all transactions are in accordance with campus policy and agency requirements.


• Coordinates hiring of research personnel and tracking of their transactions to ensure they are on the correct chartstring and submits Funding Entry and Direct Retro templates in UCPath for these transactions.

5%

• Help establish and manage subcontracts and subawards to external organizations, including domestic and international universities, non-profit, and for-profit organizations.


• Monitor financial reports and financial statements, and manage procurement activity and invoices from subaward institutions.

20%

• Independently serves as the primary faculty liaison, assisting Principal Investigators (PI) with the development of moderately complex contract and grant proposals including reviewing RFP and drafting summary of content, gathering data and responding to requests for information; researching and compiling information required; and developing proposal budgets.


• Prepares support documentation as required by proposal guidelines and coordinates proposal submissions with the Sponsored Projects Office.

5%

• Provides advice and counsel regarding sponsored projects administration, including compliance regulations, to Department Administrators and PIs.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.


• Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.


• Ability to manage a significant volume of transactions.


• Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.


• Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.


• Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.


• Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.


• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.


• Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques


• Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsor's guidelines.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $78,435.00 - $90,000.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.


• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 5 days/week remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.


• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.


• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for RP.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“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, Discrimination, Dishonesty, Or Unethical Conduct, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy


• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy


• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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.