Research Administrator

Job description

Research Administrator

**Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford, California, United States**

Finance

Post Date Sep 25, 2025

Requisition # 107350

**_This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause._**

**This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need.

Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.**

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

**About Us**
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity.

The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale.

The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, clickhere.

Geophysicsis a field that integrates geology, mathematics, and physics to understand how Earth works.

Geophysicists study Earth processes through a combination of laboratory experiments, computational and theoretical modeling, remote imaging, and direct observation.

Research in the Geophysics Department at Stanford has both fundamental and strategic elements, addressing basic scientific and critical societal needs.

The Geophysics Department is seeking a full-time Research Administrator who will work under the general supervision of the Director of Finance Operations and will be part of a finance and research administrative team.

The ideal candidate must possess and demonstrate a positive outlook on continuous process improvement efforts while maintaining a team-based and customer-focused mindset.

This position is responsible for budgeting, planning, forecasting, monitoring, reconciliation, monthly reporting to the faculty, and all pre and post award activity for the portfolios of assigned faculty members and their research groups.

It is critical that this position exhibit the abilities to practice sound judgment and decision-making, effective written & oral communication, strong attention to detail and respectful relationship management.

This position must also exhibit a strong desire to continuously learn new and unfamiliar business topics, policies and procedures as they relate to Finance and Research Administration – the ability to translate this information into operational successes will be critical.

**Your Responsibilities will include:**

+ Prepare complex proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.

Oversee and communicate submission process, both paper and electronic; resolve issues relating to proposal preparation and submittal process.
+ Develop, prepare, revise, finalize project budgets, and provide budget justification; obtain cost sharing commitment and support.

Serve as liaison and active partner between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, and other departments; respond to sponsor inquiries; advise of new regulations.
+ Collaborate with Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are set up properly and cost-sharing requirements are fulfilled; initiate cost transfers.
+ Review and approve expenditures, advise on post award spending and commitment activity, and oversee compliance related to fund and revenue.
+ Develop and communicate reports supporting project status; create forecasting models, scenarios, and decision aides.
+ Manage contract closeout process and audit inquiries; submit final reports and certificates.
+ Interpret complex university and government policies (FAR, Cost Accounting Standards, Office of Management and Budget circulars, sponsored guidelines, etc.) for project and university personnel and help guide other staff in interpreting complex policies.
+ Identify and implement process improvements.

Participate in and lead cross campus projects.

Train and advice on issues requiring specific technical expertise.
+ Oversee and review work of other staff.

May supervise, train and mentor other staff.
+ Serve as a resource on subject area to principal investigator staff.
+ Excellent time management and organizational skills.

_* - 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._

**To be successful in this position, you will need:**

+ Bachelor’s degree and five years of job related experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
+ Expert knowledge and fluency of governmental regulations (e.g. FAR, A-21, A-110, A-133, CAS).
+ Knowledge and ability to understand, interpret, and communicate university policies and procedures.
+ Excellent oral, written, and communication skills.
+ Excellent analytical skills; demonstrated proficiency in Excel and web-based tools.
+ Strong accounting skills; knowledge of accounting principles.
+ Knowledge of procurement needs, including sole-sourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
+ Strong knowledge of property management requirements related to Stanford or non-Stanford title of equipment and fabrications.
+ Expert in project management, including managing international collaborations and complex multi-sub award contracts.
+ Knowledge of personnel management, including proposing effort for and training and hiring of students, post-doctorals, academic appointments, regular staff, bargaining unit staff, and consultants, along with the circumstances appropriate for each type of position.
+ Extreme attention to detail.
+ Ability to review a proposal or manage a project with understanding of the overall scope and goal of each sponsored project.
+ Excellent time management and organizational skills.

**Certifications and Licenses:**

+ Cardinal Research Administration Foundational Training (CRAFT) I and II must be completed to remain in this position.
+ Certified Accountant or Auditor, MBA, project management certification, or similar credential desired.In addition, our preferred qualifications include:
+ Knowledge of Stanford University systems and policies

_* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job._

The expected pay range for this position is **$121,639** to **$142,078** per annum.

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.

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 acontact 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: 4483**
+ **Employee Status: Regular**
+ **Grade: I**
+ **Requisition ID: 107350**
+ **Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible**

Required Skill Profession

Other General