Research Financial Analyst
San Francisco, California • Full Time
Posted on Wed, Jul 15, 2026
JOB SUMMARY
Involves providing analytical, financial, and training activities in support of contract and grant proposal development, funding, administration, and budget development. Activities may include pre-award proposal initiatives, post-award fund management, and closeout activities for federal, state, local, and private sponsors. Involves activities associated with analyzing research funding trends and sources, 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 and program success; 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.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
If applicable, provide the number of employees and the jobs of the staff reporting to this job.
Responsibilities
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential. Generally, include those functions that account for 10% or more of the work, i.e., key items that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job. The functions should add up to 100%.
% of time | Essential Function (Yes/No) | Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor) |
20 | Yes | Leads the organization, planning, establishment, and monitoring of fiscal budget control of contracts and grants administration, submissions, budgets, support documents, gifts, endowments, and privately funded projects for faculty research programs. The research financial analyst 4 uses advanced contract and grant concepts to manage high-volume, high-complexity transactions. Responsible for complex analysis and coordination of the financial aspects of contracts, grants, clinical trials, and discretionary funds management for Principal Investigators (PIs) and their laboratories. Key aspects of the position include interfacing with the Departmental Finance Office, the UCSF Office of Research, the UCSF Controller’s Office, Supply Chain Management, the UCSF Development Office, and extramural and intramural sponsors. Prepare and submit clinical trials invoices. |
10 | Yes | Administers, in coordination with central and departmental administrators, the administrative and financial aspects of complex, awarded projects with broad impact. |
20 | Yes | Provides highly complex projections, analyses, and recommendations for PIs, the Division, and the Sponsor. Meet monthly (no less than quarterly) to review portfolio status, planning, and to provide guidance and counsel on complex research administration matters, including compliance regulations, to principal investigators and department administrators |
10 | Yes | Ensures complete and accurate collection of research management and administration data at all stages of the contract and grant life cycle. Independently oversees award reporting and closeout. Ensure that the awards/gifts of his/her assigned PIs are managed rigorously according to sponsor, UC, and departmental requirements and following planning, budgeting, and spending practices that are efficient and minimize audit risk. |
5 | Yes | Review and guide others in reviewing the financial and administrative management requirements for research clinical trials, contracts, grant awards, and transactions, ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor policies. May review and sign transactions for less experienced staff. |
5 | Yes | Assist PIs and collaborate with the Pre-award team to prepare complex proposal budgets and support documents that are required by proposal guidelines. |
10 | Yes | Reviews budget allocations for policy exceptions, conceives of and maintains a chart of accounts or other data management tools, and related business processes. Reviews and reconciles ledger accounts. Participates in gathering data from the general ledger for the collection of information for UBIT, preparing summary schedules, and either answering questions from departments or coordinating to get answers. |
15 | Yes | Prepares, reviews, and/or approves financial transactions. Independently gathers information as needed to perform financial analysis. Functions as a resource to support staff with complex research administration issues and escalated customer service problems/concerns. |
5 | Yes | Other duties as assigned |
0 | ||
0 | ||
0% | (To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.) |
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related area and five years of relevant experience and / or equivalent experience / training
Minimum 3+ years of Research Administration (including clinical trials) or related experienc
Extensive knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research, clinical trials and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
Advanced knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.
Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions.
Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
Demonstrated advanced 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 knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies. Knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, clinical trials, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements.
Ability to interpret policy for others.
Advanced knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques
Advanced ability to create and train grant writing and other communications skills in a variety of styles to ensure securing grant funding required.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Full knowledge of 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.