Research Administrator 2 - 129051

Updated: 16 days ago
Location: La Jolla, CALIFORNIA
Deadline: ;

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 4/11/24 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 4/22/24. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.


The Department of Cognitive Science promotes the study of learning, perception, action, and interaction in the physical, material, social, and cultural world. The approach is inter-disciplinary employing ideas and techniques from a number of contributing disciplines, including anthropology, communications, computer science, ethology, electrical engineering, linguistics, neurology, neurosciences, philosophy, psychology, rhetoric, and sociology.

The interdisciplinary cognitive science community on campus is integral to cognitive science as practiced at UCSD. The department offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in addition to the departmental Ph.D., with participation by members of the Departments of Anthropology, Biology, Cognitive Science, Communication, Computer Science and Engineering, Linguistics, Music, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, and Sociology.

This is a professional position at the intermediate level, fully operational level of the Research Administrator series. The incumbent applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments / projects / tasks of moderate scope and complexity; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action.

The incumbent will be providing moderate analytical and financial support in proposal processing, contract and grant administration, and budget development, including pre-award proposal initiatives, management of funds post-award, and closeout activities for federal, state, local and private sponsors. Involves activities associated with 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; negotiating, administering and monitoring contract and grant awards, includingcompliance with regulations, terms and conditions; financial management and reporting; and subaward/subcontract issuance and administration.

Under general supervision, develops and / or oversees research proposals, awards and / or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional and research sponsor policies. Works on proposals of moderate scope such as single investigator NSF proposals where analysis of financial information or reports requires review of a variety of factors (e.g. budgets, salaries, expenses, etc). Receives assignments on project basis and fully analyzes problems, gathers data and information, and recommends solutions. May be eligible for delegated signature authority. Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official.

This position provides work direction.

This position has recently been accreted by the Teamsters CX union, and will be a part of that union moving forward.

  • Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local, sponsor and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines.

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

  • Familiarity with OMB circulars such as Uniform Guidance, A-21, A110 and principles of cost accounting standards, including allowability, allocability, and reasonableness, state, local, sponsor and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines.

  • Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.

  • Familiarity with common sponsored award mechanisms.

  • Familiarity in utilizing Financiallink reports or similar experience using other financial reporting tools.

  • Experience working with computer and information management systems.

  • Ability to manage a high volume of transactions.

  • Ability to perform moderately complex financial analysis and customized reporting.

  • Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization; communication skills; and a customer service focus.

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

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

  • Effective problem solving skills.

  • Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy and flexibility, to interact with diverse individuals and groups.

  • Ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing.

  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment with overlapping deadlines and short lead times and maintain a high level of attention to detail, and ability to work with a high degree of accuracy.

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively with minimal supervision and produce accurate results in a timely manner

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

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $61,800 - $108,000 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $29.60 - $51.72

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.

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