Senior Research Administrator 3 - 141019

University of California San Diego; United States; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego in California seeks a Senior Research Administrator 3 to lead financial oversight and administration of complex research awards. You will manage budgets, forecasts, and closeout activities for federal, state, local, and private awards, collaborating with PIs and multiple departments.

You will advise on overhead rates, regulations, and funding trends, ensuring compliance and accurate financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of Federal and non-Federal research admin guidelines (e.g., Uniform Guidance, FDP, Expanded Authority).
• Knowledge of compliance requirements related to human/animal subjects, financial conflicts of interest, biosafety, etc.

Responsibilities

• Oversee complex awards and provide analytical/financial support in contract and grant admin.
• Develop budgets, forecast, plan, and manage multiple projects across PIs and disciplines.
• Advise on overhead rates, rules, and funding trends; prepare budget justifications and cost-sharing plans.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Contract & grant administration

Forecasting

Compliance

Interdepartmental coordination

Communication

Tools

Excel

Pivot tables

Job description

Payroll Title: RSCH ADM 3 RP

Department: CLIMATE/ATMOS SCI/PHY OCEANOG

Hiring Pay Scale: $100,000-$108,000/ Annually

Worksite: Hybrid

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: RP Contract

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Days, 8 hrs/day, Mon-Fri

#141019 Senior Research Administrator 3

Filing Deadline: Mon 10/19/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 08/28/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This is a hybrid position with a combination of onsite and remote work.

DESCRIPTION

Under the general supervision of the Finance Manager, the Senior Research Admin 3 is responsible for the oversight of complex awards by providing analytical and financial support in contract and grant administration, budget development, large financial project management, and closeout activities for federal, state, local and private awards. Involves activities associated with forecasting, planning, and managing of research portfolios by performing some or all of the following: reviewing proposals to ensure projected budget accuracy; 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.

Advises PIs and staff on applicable overhead rates, UC and agency rules, regulations, required language for budget justifications, cost-sharing rules, fees, and funding trends. Responsible for a high degree of accuracy in compiling budget data, spending projections, and faculty compensation plans for proposal submissions. Requires compiling information from multi-faceted research groups and from other UCSD/SIO departments and external organizations, including other universities, government laboratories, and industry. Follows up on proposal applications, agency reporting requirements, no-cost extensions, re-budgets, continuations, and renewals. Must be able to interact professionally and confidently with a variety of faculty and research professionals and to incorporate assertive methods of connecting with agency and university resource offices on behalf of the researcher and/or department management.

Other responsibilities include preparing monthly financial statements, reviewing appropriateness and allocability of expenditures, tracking availability of funds and applicable funding restrictions; preparing allocations and budget adjustment transfers as required; preparing cost transfers and other financial adjustments for fiscal closing and award close-out. The position will also be responsible for the processing and billing of outside purchase orders for external sales and service agreements.

Number of Proposals Submitted: n/a (pre-award functions handled by different unit) $ Amount of Proposals Submitted: n/a

% of Proposal Types (Examples: Unsolicited, RFA, Center, Training Grant, Clinical, Contracts, Cost-sharing): n/a

Number of Awards Managed: 31

Amount of Awards Managed (separate direct and indirect costs): $21 million direct, $12 million indirect.

Number of Award Types (Examples: Standard, Sub-award, Cost-Sharing, Program Project, Center Grant, Training Grant, Contracts): 98% federal, 2% other; 95% standard, 5% sub-awards.

Number of PI’s supported: 10

Additional complexity/workload responsibilities (see examples in guideline document): Interaction/collaborations with other departments or ORUs within UCSD.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment. Examples (not inclusive): Federal Uniform Guidance; federal registers (FDP and Expanded Authority); Cost Accounting Standards; and federal and state agency guidelines (NSF, NOAA, DOE, NASA, DWR, CEC, etc.).

• Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.

• Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting. Ability to plan, organize, prepare and manage complex budgets for multiple projects, diverse disciplines, and involving multiple Principal Investigators.

• Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports. Experience with advanced Excel spreadsheets and pivot tables, preferably in an Apple environment.

• Ability to review accounts in relation to shifting income/expenditure, audit spending trends and historical expenditures, analyze statements for balance of funds, provide projections, audit for appropriateness of expenses against agency regulations, and make sound recommendations for budget adjustments.

• Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.

• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

• Ability to work independently, take ownership of work performance, follow through on assignments, identify problems and recommend course of action for resolution, and acknowledge those tasks/items/problems that need to be handled by self and those that need the Finance Manager’s or MSO's attention

• Ability to interact constructively with faculty, staff, and students in person and over the phone, exercising tact and diplomacy with emphasis on flexibility and professionalism.

• Experience with electronic filing systems. Ability to maintain and cross-reference complex filing systems for rapid/easy retrieval by self and others

• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding financial, payroll, and personnel information

• Ability to work within a team environment, participating in group discussion regarding systems, procedures and goals of the unit

• Ability to apply programmatic knowledge regarding research objectives of projects/programs in order to analyze data, evaluate next-step procedures, weigh consequences in financial modeling, and advise PIs of the best solutions to the problems or isues at hand.

• Ability to interpret government regulations and contractual arrangements, such as Expanded Authority, cooperative agreements, and flow-through subcontract and purchase orders. Ability to review, decipher, and examine governmental and contractual language in detail and assess carefully terms and conditions that govern the award.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills for effective written and oral communication to correspond with all levels of administration using correct rules of grammar, punctuation, and proper formats, and demonstrating the ability to proofread own work.

• Strong management, problem-solving, decision-making skills and organizational skills, with ability to prioritize job functions to meet multiple deadlines, ensure smooth work flow and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: Unclassified - No data available (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: Unclassified - No data available

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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.

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Prospective employees who are ordinarily residents in Iran or who are physically located in Iran are generally not eligible to for employment per suspension of General License G on 24 August 2026. If you have ever resided in Iran or have an Iranian passport and would like to confirm your eligibility, please contact [e-mail] for consideration of your particular circumstances.