Research Finance Administrator at Stanford University in STANFORD, California

Job Description:

Research Finance Administrator🔍School of Engineering, Stanford, California, United States📁Finance📅Aug 23, 2024 Post Date📅104359 Requisition #Note: This is a 1 year fixed term position.
The School of Engineering

Stanford Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly a century, creating pivotal technologies that have transformed the worlds of information technology, communications, health care, energy, business and beyond. Our faculty and students are creative risk-takers who pursue excellence across a breadth of disciplines. Our alumni include some of the world's most successful leaders in technology and business. Our staff are critical to enabling Stanford Engineering to accomplish its mission: seeking solutions to some of the world's most urgent challenges and educating leaders who will make the world a better place through the power of engineering principles, techniques and systems.
Department of Bioengineering


Stanford Bioengineering seeks to create a fusion of engineering and the life sciences, promoting the development of new biomedical technologies, therapies, and scientific discovery through research and education. Jointly supported by the Schools of Medicine and Engineering, we include, in a single department, research and teaching programs that embrace biology as a new engineering paradigm and apply engineering principles to medical problems and biological systems.As a Research Finance Administrator, you will provide a full range of administrative and financial services managing pre-award proposal submissions and post-award research dollars for a portfolio of Bioengineering faculty. You will work with diverse funding sources from sponsored grants to non-sponsored sources such as foundation grants and industrial contracts. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty, researchers, and lab staff to share your financial expertise, ensure research funds are spent appropriately, playing a critical role in advancing the work of this exciting department. Are you looking for a finance-centered role that will build on your expertise and provide the opportunity to work independently with faculty and staff? Then this could be the place for you! To be successful in this role you will need to bring program management, training grant management, pre-award and grant submission expertise in addition to post-award finance experience.
In this role, you will:

Assist Principal Investigator in the preparation of the administrative components of proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.Create and maintain monthly financial reports to help faculty members understand spending on their awards. Download and monitor reports supporting project status, and use of forecasting and decision aides under guidance.Initiate expenditures; monitor post award spending and commitment activity. Review and certify monthly expenditure statements and facilitate quarterly review by principal investigators.Serve as liaison and active partner between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, and other departments; respond to sponsor inquiries.Collaborate with Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are set up properly, including cost-sharing awards if applicable.Review and approve expenditures, advise on post-award spending and commitment activity, and oversee compliance related to fund and revenue.Review and understand the terms and conditions of sponsored projects administered, including linked/footnoted terms and conditions not provided in hard copy or electronic copy.Participate in contract closeout process and audit inquiries; submit final reports and certificates.

Additional Duties

Collaborate as a team member within a team composed of other RAs, and Senior RAs.Oversee post-award spending on a portfolio of faculty's research funds, including sponsored and non-sponsored funding sources.Participate in and contribute to process improvements and group projects.Provide excellent customer service.*Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience (Required):

Bachelor's degree and one year of job-related experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (Required):

Strong accounting skills; knowledge of basic accounting principles.Extreme attention to detail.Ability to work well independently, but also to seek assistance when needed.Excellent time management and organizational skills.Excellent analytical skills; demonstrated expertise in Excel and web-based tools.Willingness and ability to understand and interpret university policies and procedures.Excellent oral, written, and verbal communication skills.Ability to learn and stay updated about university and government policies (FAR, Cost Accounting Standards, Office of Management and Budget circulars, sponsored guidelines, etc.) to properly administer sponsored projects.Demonstrated understanding of terminology, such as compliance, title, sub-contractor, consultant, audit, and accounting review.Ability to complete Cardinal Curriculum I and II while in position.

Certifications and Licenses:

Cardinal Curriculum I and II must be completed to remain in this position.

Education & Experience (Desired):

Certified Accountant or Auditor or similar credential desired.Experience working successfully with PIs and their administrative staffKnowledge of or ability to learn Stanford administrative and financial systems

Physical Requirements:

Frequently sit, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation and perform desk-based computer tasks, lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing up to ten pounds.Occasionally stand, walk, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, write by hand and sort and file paperwork or parts.Rarely lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing 11-20 pounds.

Work Standards:

Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu

Pay Range:

The expected pay range for this position is $39.21 to $45.19 per hour. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
How to Apply:

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and résumé along with your online application. The cover letter should briefly describe why you believe you are a good fit for this position.
Why Stanford is for you:

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.


Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.


Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time


• Job Code: 4475


• Employee Status: Fixed-Term


• Grade: F


• Requisition ID: 104359


• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible

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