Lead Research Administrator-HYBRID

#138081 Lead Research Administrator-HYBRID Filing Deadline:
Sat 2/7/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

This is a UC San Diego Internal Recruitment open to UC San Diego Employees Only.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment:
Apply by 1/28/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants:
Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This position will be a part of the UAW union moving forward.

* This position will work a hybrid schedule which includes a combination of working both onsite at Campus and Remote.

The incumbent serves as the departmental lead sponsored research administrator, providing oversight, mentorship, and advanced guidance to research administration staff.

Applies expert knowledge of federal, state, local, sponsor, and institutional regulations to direct and review complex proposal and award management activities. Works independently to resolve unique or precedent-setting issues and serves as the primary escalation point for junior research administrators.

Acts as the designated mentor for new staff and the lead for training, delegation of assignments, and professional development. Demonstrates mastery of fund-management concepts, especially those related to high complexity transactions, and ensures consistent interpretation of policy and compliance across the department. Leads or contributes to the development and implementation of policies and procedures that promote efficiency, consistency, and accountability in research administration.

Provides analytical and financial oversight for proposal processing, contract and grant administration, and budget development, including high-complexity, multi-institutional awards. Engages in pre-award and post-award activities for federal, state, local, and private sponsors, ensuring all submissions and financial actions comply with institutional and sponsor requirements. Coordinates forecasting, planning, and reporting efforts to support departmental research portfolios and ensures accurate, timely financial management.

Analyzes and resolves unique financial management issues without precedent, setting new policy and administrative standards for the department.

Provide team leadership in the development of policies and procedures; approve or recommend for approval changes. This position is responsible for liaison with other teams that support trainees, scholars and fellows. This position will need to have a detailed expert level understanding of the graduate programs, stipend and fee schedules, and an ability to navigate complex funding issues related to graduate student researchers and will be responsible for developing cost projects for faculty with these populations.

The position will lead the funding entry process for all student researchers, trainees, scholars and fellows.

This position of Senior Research Administrator (RA
4) reflects a higher degree of independence and experience compared to the Sr Research Administrator (RA
3) due to the following criteria -

1) Considered a subject matter expert; (2) has demonstrated mastery in job responsibilities, with minimal supervision; (3) 75% of the body of work is considered “complex.” Complex is defined as:
• Multi-project grants
• Classified agencies
• Significant volume of sub awards
• Fellowship Awards
• International institutions/awards
• Multi-campus awards
• PPG/Center Grants
• Significant institutional cost sharing
• Grants/Contracts with task budgets/option years
• Lead RA for interim assignments

In addition to the above duties, the Lead Research Administrator will provide expert fiscal management for a full range of sponsored projects, core, operating and other restricted funds including large, complex contracts, industry service agreements, grants, cooperatives agreements, business agreements, gift…