Research Administrator (RSCH ADM 3 RP)

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Davis invites applications for a Senior Budget Analyst role within the Civil & Environmental Engineering department.

The position supports pre- and post-award budgeting, forecasting, and program analysis for a broad set of federal, state, and private grants, partnering with PIs, CAO, and engineering faculty.

Qualifications

• Completed Research Administration Certificate (RAC) or ability to obtain within two years from appointment.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience in financial analysis, forecasting and strategic planning to analyze fiscal and budgetary issues.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and forecast budgets across multiple accounts and grant types.
• Analyze extramural planning and budgetary needs for proposals and post-award management.
• Ensure compliance with UC Davis policy and grant/contract requirements.

Skills

RAC Certification

Financial analysis

Budget forecasting

Grant budgeting

Leadership

Communication with PIs/CAO

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Job description

Job ID: 88325

Location: Davis

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Chief Administrative Officer, provide extramural planning and budgetary analysis serve as one of the compliance officers for department contract and grant activity and act as a resource to the Principal Investigator's (PIs), department manager, and chair. Independently gather and apply financial data and University financial management mechanisms to ensure comprehensive and accurate budget construction. Responsible for pre- and post-award processes, budget preparation, analysis, and forecasting, and for control of complex budgets. Conduct 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 and engineers to understand new proposals, analyze programmatic needs, and make recommendations. Serve as a member of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) C&G analyst team, providing resource to CEE investigators and research personnel.

Recruitment Period One Month

Applicants will be screened after two weeks; and then on a weekly basis. The position can be filled prior to the apply by date.

Apply By Date

09/16/2026 by 11:59 pm

Qualifications

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

• Completed Research Administration Certificate (RAC) or ability to obtain within two years from date of appointment.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and /or equivalent experience / training
• Experience in financial analysis, forecasting and strategic planning to analyze quantitative aspects of fiscal and budgetary issues and with compiling financial data and reports.
• Experience in federal, state, and private grant budget preparation based on narrative methodological research plans and designs, analysis, and forecasting to control complex budgets as well as with financial reporting policies.
• Experience recognizing and responding to problems with cost recovery, invoices, accounts and payroll.
• Experience providing leadership and decision making to solve problems and to evaluate business needs and critical thinking and problem solving skills to analyze complex data and develop meaningful solutions to specific problems.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to effectively communicate and interact with Dean's Offices, campus departments, Principal Investigators, CAO, staff, and students to ensure compliance with UCD policy and procedures.
• Organizational skills to work with changing priorities and demanding workload to independently manage and monitor multiple accounts simultaneously and to meet multiple and variable priorities and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UC Davis accounting, purchasing, entertainment, travel, and business management practices.
• Knowledge of UC Davis hiring/employment practices within an academic department. Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, cost allocation methods, and accounting policies and procedures in an academic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• 60% - Extramural Planning, Budgetary Analysis, and Forecasting
• 30% - Organization, Account Management & Analysis
• 10% - Policy Compliance

Department Overview

The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is a large, complex academic department in the College of Engineering and provides instruction and research in five specialty areas of engineering. The Department has 39 faculty, 2 adjunct professors, 5 professional research engineers, 10 Professional Scientists and 11 administrative and technical staff. The department has one of the largest undergraduate and graduate programs in the college with approximately 650 undergraduates and 180 graduate students enrolled. The department is responsible for administering an annual budget (including contracts and grants, gifts and endowments, and research center activities) of $48M, with total operating expenses of ~$14M (instructional and research) with 450+ active accounts and an eclectic research enterprise externally funded by federal, state and private sponsors, and individual/corporate donors. The incumbent of this position works in an independent manner, providing advice and guidance to the Chair, CAO, and Principle Investigators (PI's), and works closely with the Dean's Office, Office of Research Business Contracts, Accounting and Financial Services, sponsoring agencies, and other external parties (subcontractors, consultants, etc.) to facilitate the timely submission of proposals to expedite the transfer of awards. Serves on campus and college wide committees associated with financial management matters.

Position Information

• Salary or Pay Range: $73,080.00 - $130,410.00
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: 131
• UC Job Title: RSCH ADM 3 RP
• UC Job Code: 005264
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100% Fixed
• Shift (Work Schedule): M - F 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• Location: Davis, Ca
• Union Representation: RP - Research and Public Service Professionals
• 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 - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 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
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ HoursNumerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 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.

Work occasional overtime to meet workload deadlines or operation needs. Limited vacation during busy periods, such as fiscal closing and during grant/project deadlines.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• 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. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

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