Associate Research Administrator

The IRD for this job is:
08-05-2026

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

The Office of Research has primary responsibility for research policy, planning and administration of the UC Santa Cruz Research enterprise. The Office of Research supports the research community through six units: the Office of Sponsored Projects, Research Development, Office of Research Compliance Administration, Research Financial Services, Innovation and Business Engagement, and the Office of Research Business & Operations.

Under general supervision, complete transactions related to award management and maintain award records in compliance with institutional and research sponsor policies. Monitor, reconcile, and manage research funding of moderate scope, such as single investigator awards or institutionally-funded projects, in compliance with UC, institution, and sponsor policies.

Provide limited guidance to faculty and research staff on standard operating procedures, university policies, and processes, including travel and procurement. Analyzes problems, gathers data and information, and recommends solutions. Prepares and provides reports from campus systems to support the work of team members. Liaises with assigned divisions and other campus units to support transactions, as needed. Completes and approves transactions for signature by a manager or other authorized institutional official.

Budgeted Salary: $37.50 - $39.02/hour. 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
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week:
  Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes:
  Day

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: CX Union

Travel: Never or Rarely

70% - Transactions and Processes

• Maintains a working knowledge of university procurement, travel, and financial management systems.
• Provides data entry support for the Research Financial Services (RFS) team, including UC Path entry.
• Processes transactions in campus financial systems as directed, including salary cost transfers.
• Monitors campus system approval queues and direct reports according to RFS work assignments.
• Ensures the accuracy of records and financial files and that all appropriate documentation and authorizations are maintained to comply with federal and state agencies and university regulations.
• Analyzes transactions, expenditures, identifies and resolves discrepancies, financial and inventory reports. Applies agency guidelines and University policy when approving transactions.
• Maintains working knowledge of compliance regulations in research administration.
• Assists in support of audits as directed by senior staff.

20% - Financial Award Management and Reporting

• Monitors fiscal budget control of gifts, and other institutionally-funded projects, or single investigator awards for faculty research programs.
• Requests the establishment of fund accounts, including relevant activity codes, and coordinates approval with other authorized campus partners.
• Reviews, reconciles, monitors, and forecasts project expenses against project budgets and campus financial system records.
• Develops and distributes timely financial reports to Principal Investigators to support accurate and informed project management and financial decision-making.
• Gathers information as needed to perform financial analysis.
• Ensures the accuracy of records and financial files and that all appropriate…