Research Financial Analyst

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, San Francisco seeks a seasoned Research Administrator to support contract and grant proposal development, pre-award activities, and post-award management across diverse sponsors.

Responsibilities include monitoring budgets, ensuring compliance, and serving as a financial liaison between investigators and funding agencies to support research excellence and integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and minimum three years of experience or equivalent experience / training
• Ability to manage significant volume of transactions
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting
• Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas
• 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

Responsibilities

• Administer the financial aspects of multiple extramural funds ensuring compliance with university policies and the specific requirements of the funding bodies.
• Monitor budgets, verify that expenses are permissible and appropriately allocated, and prepare detailed financial reports and invoices for submission to funding agencies.
• Ensure all financial activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines, playing a crucial role in maintaining financial integrity and compliance.
• Serve as the primary financial liaison between principal investigators, university departments, and external funding agencies.
• Offer ongoing financial guidance and support to researchers, address any financial issues that may occur, and assist in audit processes.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

Financial analysis

Reporting

Grant funding

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Job description

Job Description

Involves providing analytical, financial and training activities in support of contract and grant proposal development, grant-writing, funding, administration, and budget development. Activities may include pre-award proposal initiatives, management of funds post-award, and closeout activities for federal, state, local and private sponsors. Involves activities associated with analyzing research funding trends and sources, forecasting, planning, and managing of research portfolios by performing some or all of the following: coordinating and identifying and developing and / or presenting proposals, contracts and other agreements; reviewing proposals to ensure institutional compliance and program success; negotiating, administering and monitoring contract and grant awards, including compliance with regulations, terms and conditions; financial management and reporting; and sub award / subcontract issuance and administration.

Involves providing analytical, financial and training activities in support of contract and grant proposal development, grant-writing, funding, administration, and budget development. Activities may include pre-award proposal initiatives, management of funds post-award, and closeout activities for federal, state, local and private sponsors. Involves activities associated with analyzing research funding trends and sources, forecasting, planning, and managing of research portfolios by performing some or all of the following: coordinating and identifying and developing and / or presenting proposals, contracts and other agreements; reviewing proposals to ensure institutional compliance and program success; negotiating, administering and monitoring contract and grant awards, including compliance with regulations, terms and conditions; financial management and reporting; and sub award / subcontract issuance and administration.

Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and / or oversee research proposals, awards, and / or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies. Works on proposals and awards of diverse scope where analysis of data requires thorough understanding of complex regulations. Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official. Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and / or multiple sub awards. Guides less experienced staff. Central Role (CR): Is eligible for delegated signature authority (may vary by campus). Department Role (DR): Typically works on complex proposals such as grants / contracts which require task budgets, option years, multiple investigators and multiple sub awards.

Responsibilities

• Administer the financial aspects of multiple extramural funds ensuring compliance with university policies and the specific requirements of the funding bodies.
• Monitor budgets, verify that expenses are permissible and appropriately allocated, and prepare detailed financial reports and invoices for submission to funding agencies.
• Ensure all financial activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines, playing a crucial role in maintaining financial integrity and compliance.
• Serve as the primary financial liaison between principal investigators, university departments, and external funding agencies.
• Offer ongoing financial guidance and support to researchers, address any financial issues that may occur, and assist in audit processes.

Department Overview

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing is a leading institution dedicated to advancing health through education, research, and patient care. It is recognized for its commitment to producing impactful research that addresses critical nursing challenges and contributes to the overall improvement of healthcare practices. The School of Nursing consistently ranks among the top nursing schools in the nation, particularly in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, which supports a wide array of innovative research initiatives aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and promoting health equity. Faculty members engage in interdisciplinary collaborations that leverage cutting-edge methodologies and technologies to explore various aspects of nursing science, ultimately striving to improve health systems and patient care delivery.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and minimum three years of experience or equivalent experience / training
• Ability to manage significant volume of transactions
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting
• Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas
• 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

Preferred 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.
• Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration
• Previous working experience in an academic environment