Research Financial Analyst II

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking a Research Financial Analyst II to support responsible stewardship of sponsored funds and ensure awards comply with sponsor regulations, university policy, and institutional procedures. The role manages post-award administration, forecasting, and grant transitions for a faculty portfolio.

The position emphasizes collaboration with the Office of Sponsored Programs and requires strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with a path toward senior

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field.
• Experience in accounting, finance, grant administration, research administration, or related administrative work involving independent portfolio management and financial analysis.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex financial, administrative, and regulatory requirements with limited supervision.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial reporting systems.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with faculty, staff, and institutional partners.

Responsibilities

• Manage routine to moderately complex post-award administration for an assigned faculty portfolio.
• Provide financial forecasting and labor allocation monitoring.
• Plan grant transitions and identify key administrative/deadline requirements.
• Escalate highly complex or high-risk issues to the Associate Director of Post Award Management.
• Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Programs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Financial reporting systems

Job description

Job Description

The Research Financial Analyst II works directly with principal investigators, research personnel, finance staff, and institutional partners to support responsible stewardship of sponsored funds and ensure awards are administered in accordance with sponsor regulations, university policy, and institutional procedures.

FBRI manages a diverse and complex sponsored research portfolio supported by federal agencies, state funding, private foundations, philanthropic investments, industry-sponsored research, translational initiatives, and emerging commercialization activities. The institute supports approximately 50 independently led laboratories and research centers operating under varied funding structures, sponsor requirements, and operational models.

As a key member of the FBRI team, this position will manage routine to moderately complex post-award administration for an assigned faculty portfolio, including financial forecasting, labor allocation monitoring, grant transition planning, and identification of key administrative and compliance deadlines. The position is expected to serve as a specialist and exercise sound judgment in identifying financial and administrative actions required to maintain compliant award management, while escalating highly complex, high-risk, or non-routine issues to the Associate Director of Post Award Management. Position is expected to collaborate effectively with the Office of Sponsored Programs.

This role is designed as a professional mid-level position with a progressive career path toward senior post-award administration responsibilities. Assigned portfolios may include faculty supported by federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, private foundations, and subawards involving varied sponsor requirements and administrative timelines.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in accounting, finance, grant administration, research administration, or related administrative work involving independent portfolio management and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex financial, administrative, and regulatory requirements with limited supervision.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial reporting systems.
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and institutional partners.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply complex policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting sponsored research, grants, contracts, or restricted funds.
• Experience in an academic, healthcare, nonprofit, or research‑intensive environment.
• Familiarity with federal sponsor requirements such as National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, or Department of Defense.
• Experience with large ERP systems.
• Progress toward Certified Research Administrator credential or interest in pursuing certification.

Pay Band

5

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Starting at $60,000; Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

8/3/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Brittany Shelton at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.