Research Administrator (Metro) (RSCH ADM 3)

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

University of California, Davis seeks a highly skilled financial analyst to provide technical financial services for the Metro Cluster, handling intramural and extramural account planning, budget analysis and management for a defined set of faculty and staff.

The role involves complex budget oversight, grant budgeting, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with principal investigators to support pre- and post-award processes. Hybrid work arrangement; 100% time; located in Davis, CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area or equivalent experience.
• Experience in financial analysis, forecasting and planning.
• Experience managing complex budgets and grant budgets.
• Knowledge of federal and private grant compliance.
• Experience using automated financial and payroll systems.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills.
• Strong problem solving and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Extramural planning, budget analysis and forecasting.
• Account management, analysis and reporting.
• Policy compliance and governance.
• General supporting duties as needed.

Skills

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Strategic planning

Budget preparation

Grant budgeting

Compliance knowledge

Automated systems

Document drafting

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

Aggie Enterprise

UCPath

DaFIS

DaFIS Decision Support

Job description

Job Summary

Under general direction of the Contracts and Grants Supervisor 2, Business Operations Manager, and CAO, independently provide highly technical financial services to the Metro Cluster and its departments, programs, and large initiatives, providing intramural and extramural account planning and budgetary analysis and management for a specific set of faculty and staff as a financial analyst, account manager and compliance officer.

Apply By Date

10/16/2026 by 11:59 pm

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience in financial analysis, forecasting and strategic planning to analyze and compile complex financial data and reports.
• Experience controlling complex budgets, accounting and personnel functions including detailed budget preparation, contract and grant budget proposals, purchasing, payroll, ledger reconciliation, and fiscal close.
• Experience with federal and private compliance regulations governing grant budgeting, financial reporting, cost-sharing standards, cost allocation, and policies regarding use of grant funds.
• Experience using automated financial and payroll/personnel systems.
• Experience writing and proofreading clear, grammatically accurate documents and email.
• Computer skills to utilize various programs and software for word processing, spreadsheets, and website applications.
• Problem solving and analytical skills to anticipate, identify problems, compare data, form conclusions and develop goals for resolution of problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field / equivalent experience and training
• Experience with Aggie Enterprise, UCPath, DaFIS and DaFIS Decision Support.
• Experience with budget preparation bases on narrative methodological research plans and designs, analysis, and forecasting.
• Knowledge of cost allocation methods.

Key Responsibilities

• 60% - Extramural Planning, Budgetary Analysis, and Forecasting
• 25% - Organization, Account Management & Analysis
• 10% - Policy Compliance
• 5% - Other

Department Overview

Serve as one of the compliance officers for Metro's most complex contracts and grants activity and a primary resource advisor to faculty for pre and post award processes, research personnel, and financial planning. Works in a highly independent capacity dealing with complex proposals and award management to ensure comprehensive and accurate budget development. Responsible for a diverse scope of pre- and post-award processes, budget development, analysis, forecasting, and for control of complex budgets. Provide highly complex financial analysis and effort reporting, and participate in the financial planning for a wide variety of federal, state, and private grants. Work with Principal Investigators t understand cross-disciplinary proposals, analyze programmatic needs, and make recommendations.

Department Specific Job Scope

Metro is a large administrative cluster providing administrative and technical support for teaching, research and outreach to the faculty, staff, and students of Environmental Toxicology; Land, Air, and Water Resources; and Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and their collaborative interfaces Centers, institutes and programs on campus.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $71,600.00 - $127,800.00
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: Grade 21
• UC Job Title: RSCH ADM 3
• UC Job Code: 006206
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100% Fixed
• Shift (Work Schedule): M-F, 8am-5pm
• Location: Davis, Ca
• Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 HoursAbility to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Special Requirements

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks #CA-CB