Under general direction of the Finance Manager, responsible for the fiscal control, accounting and reporting of all levels of contracts and grants awarded and full financial portfolio of Principal Investigators (PI). Provide independent, high-level, analytical and administrative financial support to the Chief Administrate Officer (CAO), Department Chairs, Center Directors and PIs in the College of L&S Social Sciences Yellow Cluster (YC).
Responsible for fiscal analyses and regulatory research compliance oversight and implementation within the Finance team. Independently serve as liaison with the Office of Research, Accounting and Financial Services, Business Contracts and varied funding agencies. Provide complex financial and regulatory administration of cross-disciplinary extramural and intramural research proposal and award management in partnership with the Primate Center, M.I.N.D. Institute, NPB, School of Medicine, Imaging Research Center, and other units on campus.
Independently develop and manage pre-award, post-award processes, financial portfolio of PIs for over $40 M in annual grant submissions for multi-investigator, multi-site, multi-year research projects. Analyze, forecast, and control complex budgets from a variety of funding, including state and federal grants, private grants, gifts, start-up general funds, and other intramural funding sources. Develop & coordinate complex research budgets & narrative justifications, sub-awards, business agreements, and supplements to existing projects. Work at a highly independent
capacity to administer internal and external funded agreements, produce detailed, accurate, timely and meaningful monthly financial summaries, including effort commitment, salary cost recovery, cost-sharing and financial reporting for complex research funding and faculty appropriations, as well as closeout and final project reporting. Participate in financial planning and prepare projections.
Serve as YC compliance expert in University Policy & Procedure for all business processes for financial and personnel procedures as they relate to intramural and extramural funding. Independently analyze and interpret grant proposals guidelines, extramural awards to ensure adherence to federal, state, foundation and private regulations and ensure financial transactions are in accordance with GAAP. Assist in making recommendations and implementing internal policies and procedures necessary to ensure fiduciary compliance. Provide ongoing training support to YC staff
when needed.
Fiscal Officer (FO) responsible for approving all research related financial transactions and delegate for all other YC financial transactions and provide back-up coverage to the other FOs during leaves and vacations. Maintain organized financial data files for sponsored and organized research activities. Manage other projects as assigned. Since the Cluster draws faculty from different colleges/divisions it requires that this position is conversant and knowledgeable about these many varying policies and procedures within each area including, faculty recruitment, personnel
appointment processes and graduate groups support policies.
Apply By Date: September 17, 2025 at 11:59pm
Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance or related area or equivalent years of experience and or training (including financial research administration).
- At least 1 year of prior experience in financial analysis, forecasting and strategic planning to analyze quantitative aspects of fiscal and budgetary issues, and compile financial data and reports OR experience researching and interpreting a variety of laws, regulations and policies pertaining to research administration.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze complex data and develop meaningful solutions to specific
- problems.
- Organizational skills to work with changing priorities and demanding workload, to manage and monitor multiple
- accounts simultaneously, and to meet multiple and variable priorities and deadlines.
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect in a working and learning environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Leadership and decision-making skills to solve problems, and evaluate business needs.
- Extensive knowledge of federal, state and private grant regulations, policies and procedures.
- Knowledge and understanding of GAAP, cost allocation methods, and accounting policies and procedures in an academic environment.
Key Responsibilities
- 60% - Contract and Grant Analysis
- 30% - Budget and Financial Analysis
- 10% - Payroll and Personnel Administration
Department Overview
The Yellow Cluster (YC) provides administrative support for instructional and research activities to the Center for Mind and Brain (CMB), the Center for Science and Innovation Studies (CSIS), the Cognitive Science program (CGS) and the following departments: Philosophy (PHI), Psychology (PSC), and Science and Technology Studies (STS). The centers and departments offer two graduate programs, which support around 150 students, and four undergraduate major programs with nine emphases in both BA & BS degrees, which support around 3300 students.
YC and its related departments and centers consist of ~600 employees encompassing a wide diversity of academic and staff positions, including ~70 PI/faculty, 1 SOE, 1 Continuing Lecturer, ~16 Unit 18 Lecturers, 1 Adjunct Prof, 3 Specialists, ~16 Jr. Specialists, ~7 Project Scientists, ~15 Postdoctoral Scholars, ~36 Associate In Lecturers, ~350 TAs/Readers annually, 2 Professional Researchers, 23 Undergraduate Student Assistants, ~1 STE Lab/SRA hires
annually, 5 Chairs/Directors, ~10 Visiting Professors, ~11 Without Salary Academic appointments, 1 CAO, and ~20 administrative and research staff.
The current combined budget for instruction, research and outreach is $43,240,460 including ~$6Mof extramural awards an annually, The Cluster's annual expenses average$25.3M/annually.
POSITION INFORMATION
- Salary or Pay Range: $69,600.00 - $124,200.00/year
- Salary Frequency: Monthly
- Salary Grade: 21
- UC Job Title: RSCH ADM 3
- Number of Positions: 1
- Appointment Type: Contract
- Percentage of Time: 100%
- Shift (Work Schedule): Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Location: Davis, CA
- Union Representation: No
- Benefits Eligible: Yes
- This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)
Benefits
Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.
If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html
* High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
* UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
* Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
* Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
* Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
* Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
* Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
* WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
* On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
* Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
* Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
* Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here
Physical Demands
- Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
Environmental Demands
- Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Loud noise levels - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Mental Demands
- Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
Work Environment
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
Work flexible schedule including occasional overtime to meet operational needs (i.e. fiscal closing, department budget preparation deadlines, contract/grant deadlines, etc.). May require working in an environment where animals are used in research.
Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position
- This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
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.
A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging
At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.
As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere
To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks