Research Program Administrator (Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics)

UCLA Health; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior seeks a Research Program Administrator to join the Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics. This role coordinates research operations for a multi-site, international program focusing on the genetics of psychiatric and neurological disorders.

You will support contracts, IRB submissions, data use agreements, and grant management while working with domestic and international collaborators to advance CNS research.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life sciences, Public Health, Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2-4 years of program, project, research administration, or operations experience.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and sponsors.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate research administration activities and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Assist with contracts, MTAs, DUAs, and IRB submissions.
• Support proposal preparation by coordinating with investigators and sponsors.
• Track grant deadlines and submission materials for timely completion.
• Coordinate research logistics including sample handling and data distribution.
• Maintain inventories of research supplies and equipment.
• Assist with financial reconciliation and reporting for research.
• Support meetings, conferences, and collaborator visits.
• Contribute to reports, presentations, and project deliverables.
• Plan and coordinate day-to-day program activities to advance research goals.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life sciences, Public Health, Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Onsite or Remote

Flexible Hybrid

Work Schedule

Posted Date

08/25/2026

Salary Range: $30.63 - 59.19 Hourly

Employment Type

Duration

Indefinite

Job #

32700

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior is seeking to hire a Research Program Administrator to join our Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics. This is a multi-site international research program focused on the genetics of major psychiatric and neurological disorders and advancing our understanding of the development, function, and degeneration of the central nervous systems. You will play a key role in coordinating research operations and supporting complex multidisciplinary projects involving domestic and international collaborators. Key responsibilities:

• Coordinate research administration activities and support compliance with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements
• Assist with contract, award agreements, Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Data Use Agreements (DUAs), IRB submissions, and other research-related documentation
• Support proposal preparation and submission activities by coordinating with investigators, collaborators, sponsors, and UCLA administrative offices
• Track grant deadlines, proposal requirements, and submission material to ensure timely and accurate completion
• Coordinate research logistics, including sample collection, processing, shipping, and data distribution
• Maintain inventories of research supplies and equipment
• Assist financial reconciliation and preparation of research-related reports
• Support meetings, conferences, collaborator visits, and other program events
• Contribute to the development of reports, presentations, communications, websites, and other project deliverables
• Assist with the planning, implementation, and day-to-day coordination of program activities that advance the Center’s research mission

Salary range: $30.63/hr - $59.19/hr

Job Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Life sciences, Public Health, Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 2- 4 years of experience providing program, project, research administration, or research operations support in an academic, healthcare, or research environment
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate activities across diverse stakeholders, and meet competing deadlines
• Strong ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams, faculty, staff, sponsors, and external partners
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess information, identify issues, and recommend practical solutions
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy while managing complex administrative and research-related processes
• Proficiency with standard office software and the ability to learn and apply new systems, policies, procedures, and regulations
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed, to support the program

Preferred:

• Experience supporting research administration activities, including grants, contracts, IRB submissions, compliance requirements, or sponsor-funded research projects
• Experience coordinating multi-site, multidisciplinary, or international research programs
• Knowledge of UCLA research administration processes and systems
• Basic knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and experience with financial reconciliation, reporting, and budget tracking
• Experience working with research agreements such as MTAs, DUAs, subawards, or other research-related contracts

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. Current/former UC employees are subject to a personnel file review.