Travel Clinical Research Coordinator
San Francisco, CA
Prime Staffing
5x8 hrs, Days

Grants Officer / Pre-Award Research Administrator

Organization: UCSF – Office of Sponsored Research (OSR)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 2 days per week onsite
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience

Important UCSF Requirement: UCSF requires a full medical examination for all candidates, regardless of whether the position is onsite, hybrid, or remote.

Position Summary

The UCSF Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) is seeking an experienced Pre-Award Research Administrator / Grants Officer with strong expertise in budget development, proposal preparation, and proposal submission, particularly for federal sponsors and National Institutes of Health (NIH) applications.

The Grants Officer will provide advanced analytical, financial, administrative, and compliance support throughout the research funding lifecycle. The role will focus heavily on pre-award activities, including developing and reviewing complex research proposals, preparing budgets, ensuring institutional and sponsor compliance, and supporting faculty and research teams.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable managing a high volume of complex transactions, working independently, interpreting federal regulations and cost principles, and advising faculty and staff on research administration requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Award & Proposal Administration

• Manage complex research proposals from initial development through submission.
• Develop and review detailed research budgets and budget projections.
• Support proposal preparation and submission for federal, state, local, and private sponsors.
• Provide specialized support for NIH applications and other federal funding opportunities.
• Review proposals for institutional, sponsor, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate proposal components, including budgets, justifications, subawards, and supporting documentation.
• Identify potential compliance or administrative issues and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Work closely with faculty, researchers, departmental staff, and other UCSF teams throughout the proposal process.

Grants & Contracts Administration

• Analyze and administer complex grant, contract, and subcontract transactions.
• Review financial and administrative requirements associated with research awards.
• Support contract and grant administration, monitoring, reporting, and closeout activities.
• Assist with subaward/subcontract issuance and administration.
• Interpret sponsor terms and conditions and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
• Support financial management and reporting activities.
• May review transactions prepared by less experienced staff and provide technical guidance.

Financial Analysis & Budget Management

• Perform complex financial analysis related to research funding.
• Develop customized financial reports and budget projections.
• Apply federal cost principles and sponsor-specific requirements.
• Analyze funding trends, sources, and financial considerations.
• Manage a significant volume of financial and administrative transactions.
• Identify appropriate and compliant solutions for complex financial situations.

Compliance & Regulatory Support

• Maintain current knowledge of federal and non-federal research administration regulations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable requirements related to:
  • Human subjects research
  • Animal research
  • Financial conflicts of interest
  • Biosafety
  • Federal cost principles
  • Sponsor-specific policies and regulations
• Interpret institutional and sponsor policies and communicate requirements clearly to faculty and staff.
• Balance customer-service needs with institutional and regulatory compliance.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant research administration experience preferred, particularly in a university, academic medical center, or research institution.
• Strong experience with pre-award research administration.
• Hands-on experience with budget development and proposal submission.
• Experience working with federal sponsors, particularly NIH.
• Extensive knowledge of federal and non-federal research administration guidelines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations and cost principles.
• Advanced ability to develop complex budgets, estimates, and financial projections.
• Experience managing a high volume of complex transactions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently interpret policies, regulations, and sponsor requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer-service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, researchers, staff, and multiple departments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Systems & Technical Skills

Strong proficiency with:

• Microsoft Excel – advanced budget development and financial analysis
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Outlook
• Adobe Acrobat
• Spreadsheet and database applications
• Electronic research administration systems

Experience with systems such as:

• Grants.gov
• eProposal
• Proposal Express
• Other electronic proposal and research administration platforms

Preferred Background

Strong candidates will have experience in:

• University or academic medical center research administration
• NIH and other federal grant applications
• Pre-award proposal development
• Complex research budget preparation
• Federal cost principles
• Subaward/subcontract administration
• Multiple-investigator proposals
• Complex grants and contracts
• Research compliance
• Faculty-facing research administration
• High-volume sponsored research operations

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest candidate will be an experienced Pre-Award Research Administrator, Senior Grants Administrator, Grants Officer, Sponsored Research Administrator, or Research Administration Specialist who can independently manage complex proposals and budgets.

Candidates should be comfortable acting as a technical resource for faculty and research staff, resolving unusual or complex research administration issues, interpreting sponsor regulations, and ensuring proposals are submitted accurately and compliantly.

Work Environment

• Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Hybrid – 2 days onsite per week
• Onsite location: 490 Illinois Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven research administration environment
• High volume of complex proposals and sponsored research transactions