Research Administrator 3
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
Physics is a prominent, highly-ranked, and research-intensive department at UC San Diego, with 400+ employees, annual expenditures of roughly $50M, annual course enrollment greater than 16K, and over 140K square feet of space in 8 campus buildings. Research and instructional activity occurs over an unusually broad range of disciplinary areas, including: astrophysics & astronomy, atomic/molecular physics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, controlled fusion & plasma physics, elementary particle physics, nanoscience, and nonlinear dynamics. Research activity occurs both on-campus and in multiple off-campus locations, including: U.S. National Laboratories such as Argonne, Lawrence Livermore, and LANL (Los Alamos National Lab); observatories throughout the world; Antarctica; Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy; PandaX experiment at China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL); the Large Hadron Collider at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Switzerland; also to include the currently constructed Simons Observatory in the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile. Research collaborations frequently involve other U.S. and international universities, National Labs; research institutes such as The Scripps Research Institute and the Salk Institute; and/or companies such as SAIC and General Atomics. Sponsored research activities are funded by 40-50 different funding agencies, including NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, and AFOSR. Instruction occurs at multiple levels. With approximately 150 students, the doctoral program has a flexible and broad-based curriculum which leads to a Ph.D. in Physics or a Ph.D. in Physics with a Specialization in Biophysics. With nearly 600 Physics majors, the undergraduate major program is one of the most productive in the nation. Students may obtain B.S. degrees with optional specializations in Astrophysics, Biophysics, Computational Physics, Earth Sciences, or Materials Physics, or B.A. degrees with an optional specialization in Secondary Education. A unique 5-year contiguous program leading to a B.S./M.S. in Materials Physics is also available. Lower division courses allow students to satisfy their general education requirements and serve as foundational courses for students majoring in the sciences and engineering. This is a professional position at the experienced level of the Research Administrator Series. The incumbent is an experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and / or oversee research proposals, awards and / or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies. Works on proposals and awards of diverse scope where analysis of data requires thorough understanding of complex regulations. Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official. Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and / or multiple subawards. Guides less experienced staff. Typically works on complex proposals such as grants / contracts which require task budgets, option years, multiple investigators and multiple sub-awards. Incumbent provides 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, including compliance with regulations, terms and conditions; financial management and reporting; and sub award/subcontract issuance and administration. Complexity is defined as follows: Type of Proposals - Highly complex proposals involving one or more of the following: multiple departments; multiple institutions (subawards); significant institutional cost-sharing; institutional commitment proposals; responsive to award agency proposal requirements (RFP, RFA, PA); numerous integrated projects; Program Project or Center applications; training grant applications; and Contracts; extensive variety of agencies and extensive number of awarding entities; significant and unique reporting requirements; significant equipment acquisition or fabrication; performance milestones. Total proposals will usually be in excess of $8 million (direct cost) annually. Type of Awards - Funds managed will be for awards received as a result of submission of proposals described above. Type of Self-Supporting Activities - The self-supporting activities and research recharge operations are large and complex in nature (income > $500K). Contributions to Development of Policies and Procedures - Provide team leadership in the development of policies and procedures; approve or recommend for approval changes. Resources to be managed will be determined by each department reflecting the quantitative measures in the Classification Matrix for Sponsored Research Administrators. This is a UC San Diego Internal Recruitment open to UC San Diego Employees Only
Qualifications
Experienced with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements. Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal, and reporting principles. Requires thorough knowledge in OMB circulars such as Universal Guidance, A-21, A110 and principles of cost accounting standards, including allowability, allocability, and reasonableness, state, local, sponsor and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines. Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment. Knowledgeable about Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration. Proficiency in utilizing FinancialLink reports, queries, and use pivot tables or similar experience using other financial reporting tools. Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc. Ability to manage significant volume of transactions. Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting. Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports. Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas. Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration. Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills to interact with diverse individuals and groups. 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. Proficiency working with computer and information management systems. Stays current on compliance regulations in all areas of research administration. Demonstrated understanding of the importance of ensuring an equitable, inclusive, and diverse working environment, with the ability to work as part of a diverse and collaborative team. Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.