Research & Financial Operations Specialist

Stanfordlivetickets; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University is seeking a proactive Research & Financial Operations Specialist to support multiple faculty labs in finance, research administration, and lab operations. The role emphasizes professionalism, integrity, and service in a dynamic department.

The ideal candidate thrives in a customer-centric, collaborative culture and communicates clearly with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, while upholding safety and compliance standards.

Qualifications

• Ability to prioritize work in a complex research environment.
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Take initiative and own projects in finance, research admin, and lab operations.
• Effective written and oral communication with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support multiple faculty labs in finance, research administration, and lab operations.
• Provide general departmental support with limited supervision.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.

Skills

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Initiative

Effective communication

Sound judgment

Research administration expertise

Tools

Oracle

Oracle BI

Excel

Data analysis tools

Job description

Stanford University, located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, is one of the world’s leading teaching and research universities. Since its opening in 1891, Stanford has been dedicated to finding solutions to big challenges and to preparing students for leadership in a complex world. We are seeking candidates who are progressive thinkers, see challenges as simply problems to solve, and have the spirit and energy to change the world.

About the Department of Microbiology & Immunology:
Our Department includes distinguished faculty and staff. It is a community of over 200 individuals in the School of Medicine with a mission to conduct the best possible research and provide the most rigorous and inspiring training in the areas of microbiology, immunology, host-pathogen interaction and related fields.

Our Department was founded almost 100 years ago and has gone by a number of names, including the Department of Medical Microbiology. Each name reflecting a particular stage in the evolution of medicine and the life sciences. Our current name was granted by the University in 1987 when the Department made a major push to expand its focus into the complex interplay between microbe and host. This is a unifying theme that permeates the Department's research and teaching and that only seems to be growing in relevance with each passing year. Our goal is to improve human and animal health as well as to improve our ability to be responsible stewards of a fragile earth

About the Position:
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is seeking an experienced Research & Financial Operations Specialist to support multiple faculty members and their labs in the areas of finance, research administration, and lab operations, along with providing general departmental support with limited supervision. Our core values emphasize professionalism, integrity, personal responsibility, and service.

We are looking for a proactive self-starter with a positive attitude – someone who is resilient, resourceful, and easily adapts to new tasks and changing circumstances. The ideal candidate will thrive in our dynamic culture and embody a customer-centric, collaborative approach. They will demonstrate sound judgement, effective communication skills (both written and oral), and meticulous attention to detail.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work and multi-task in a complex research environment.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects related to finance, research administration, and lab operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions regarding complex financial and administrative matters.
• Subject matter expertise in research administration, sponsored projects, university financial systems, and/or lab operations
• Proficiency with Oracle, Oracle BI, Excel, and other financial/data analysis tools.
• Knowledge of federal regulations (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance), sponsor requirements, and university policies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally use a telephone.
• Rarely lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Occasional evening and weekend hours.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu