Research Accountant [CAMPUS ONLY recruitment]

Overview

This is a CAMPUS ONLY recruitment. Only current employees, or former employees with current Preferential Rehire rights will be considered for this position. Former employees with Preferential Rehire rights should apply through the external candidate gateway and identify themselves as such in their application.

Current employees must apply through the Internal Candidate Gateway. If you accessed this recruitment through the internal gateway, you can apply via the “Apply” button at the bottom of the job posting. If you accessed this recruitment through the external gateway, you must access the internal job posting through the careers site and select the “Internal Staff Applicants” option.

If you are a current employee and apply through the External Candidate Gateway, you will not be considered.

Job Summary

Under general supervision by unit leadership, this role uses seasoned research administration skills to independently monitor, reconcile, and manage extramural funding in compliance with UC, institution, and sponsor policies.

Responsibilities include sponsored award set-up, oversight, policy compliance, billing, financial reporting, and closeout. The role provides guidance to faculty and research staff on standard operating procedures, university and sponsor policies, and processes, and delivers decision-support analysis, guidance, and reporting to meet sponsored projects requirements and ensure institutional financial oversight. The position also liaises with divisions and other campus units as needed.

Responsibilities

40% – Financial Award Management and Reporting

• Provide oversight for fiscal management of sponsored awards.
• Authorize the establishment of fund accounts, including relevant activity codes, and coordinate approval with other authorized campus partners.
• Set up sponsored awards in the campus financial system, including accurate IDC.
• Monitor and provide oversight to ensure project expenses align with approved budgets, sponsor requirements, and campus financial system records.
• Gather information as needed to perform financial analysis.
• Guide actions requiring coordination with sponsors and campus authorized officials; coordinate institutional actions when needed.
• Assist in support of audit as directed by senior staff.
• Ensure accuracy of records and financial files, including appropriate documentation and authorizations to comply with federal and state agencies and university regulations.
• Close out extramural fund accounts at the end of the project period and ensure institutional obligations are met.
• Prepare and submit financial reports required by sponsor guidelines.

25% – Transactions and Processes

• Maintain working knowledge of university procurement and financial management systems.
• Manage accounting, financial reporting, letter of credit drawdowns, billing, application of revenue, and accurate and timely closeout for extramural awards within a designated assignment.
• Provide oversight for cost transfers and adjustments to ensure costs comply with sponsor and university policy.
• Identify and correct transactional discrepancies in collaboration with Research Financial Services and ensure accurate application of institutional rates.
• Coordinate research-related interlocation transfers.
• Suggest improvements to systems and processes to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden.

20% – Research Administration Policy

• Review and interpret award terms and conditions provided by extramural sponsors; ensure awards are set up and managed according to relevant terms.
• Advise campus partners on appropriate use of funds according to funder, institutional, and UC guidelines and policy.
• Analyze and apply agency guidelines and University policy when providing fund oversight, including review of journals, cost transfers, rebudgeting, and other account management adjustments.
• Maintain current knowledge of compliance regulations in research administration.

15% – Communication and Customer Service

• Provide guidance on complex research administration matters, including compliance regulations, to PIs and campus partners.
• Ensure continuity of support, timely responses, and resolution of inquiries and award actions.
• Serve as first point of contact for portfolio management as assigned.
• Coordinate with the Office of Research, Research Financial Services, Financial Affairs, and other campus partners to resolve issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of sponsor, UC, and institutional research administration policies and guidelines, with the ability to interpret and apply them to research portfolio management.
• Demonstrated experience in financial planning, analysis, budgeting, and accounting to ensure fiscal accountability and adherence to internal controls.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable research administration compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated competence in the use of financial systems and tools, including spreadsheets and database software, for financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports.
• Demonstrated independent judgment, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills to assess situations and provide solutions.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, including the ability to manage a significant volume of work with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated written communication skills, with the ability to explain requirements in a comprehensive and organized manner.
• Demonstrated verbal communication skills.
• Customer service focus and solid interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to function independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
• Demonstrated ability to use discretion and good judgment when handling confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with campus systems, such as financial management, payroll/personnel software, purchasing, data warehouse, and reporting.

Appointment Information

• Budgeted Salary: $72,000 - $80,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
• Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
• Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits
• Schedule Information: Full-time, Fixed; 100%, 40 Hours per Week; Mon-Fri; Day shift
• Employee Classification: Career appointment
• Job End Date: None
• Work Location: Remote
• Union Representation: RP Union
• Job Code Classification: 005264 (RSCH ADM 3 RP)
• Travel: Never or Rarely

Special Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Fully remote; must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Option to work a hybrid work schedule. If confirmed, must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to report to campus to work in-person as operationally required, with reasonable notice as determined by your manager; travel expenses not covered.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Must complete training within established time frames as directed, including UC compliance training.
• UC vaccination policy applies; employees, including new hires, are required to comply with applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional 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; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

Safety Statement

All employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

Initial Review Date (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on 09-28-2026 will be routed to the hiring team for consideration.

Note: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant’s behalf.

How to Apply

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening.

Equal Opportunity

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

The University of California’s policy includes affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.