LandEarly
Synced from Workday · Mar 26

Research Administrator

University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA - Health Sciences CampusPosted Mar 26, 2025
Program ManagerMid
Apply with one profileSave & get alerts

Mirrored from University of Southern California's own Workday careers system · refreshed hourly

827
Other open University of Southern California roles
Mar 26
Posted
Workday
Applicant system
Job description

Job Title: Research Administrator

Department: Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Location: Health Sciences Campus (Hybrid)

Position Summary:
The Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of USC is seeking a Research Administrator to support our growing and dynamic research department. Reporting to the Senior Clinical Administrative Director II, and working closely with the KSOM Office of Research Administration, the Research Administrator will work closely with a team of highly motivated research investigators to manage financial and administrative research activities.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Pre- and Post-Award Management: Oversee pre- and post-award processes for research projects, including contracts, grants, clinical trials, and philanthropic funding.
  • Clinical Trial Administration: Manage financial aspects of clinical trials, including budget tracking, investigator payments, invoices, and financial reporting for sponsors.
  • Proposal Development: Assist principal investigators (PIs) in preparing administrative components of grant proposals within sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
  • Budget & Financial Oversight: Develop, prepare, and monitor project budgets, ensuring compliance with financial and institutional policies.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Collaborate with the Sponsored Project Accounting office to ensure proper award setup and compliance with cost-sharing requirements.
  • Financial Reporting: Prepare grant award reports, projections, and monthly/quarterly research productivity and financial reports, including maintaining a research dashboard.
  • Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to improve efficiency in research administration, reporting, and award management.
  • Team Leadership: Assist in managing other departmental research administrators and support hiring and onboarding of research staff.
  • Collaboration & Liaison: Partner closely the USC Sponsored Projects Accounting (SPA) office, Department of Contracts and Grants, KSOM Office of Research Administration, principal investigators, research groups, and external sponsors to facilitate smooth research operations and ensure compliance with institutional and funding agency policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 5+ years of experience in pre- and post-award management for federal and non-federal grants/contracts in an academic setting
  • 2+ years of experience in financial management of clinical trials
  • Strong knowledge of NIH and other sponsored award regulations
  • Proficiency in financial forecasting, accounting, and data management systems
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 7-10+ years of experience in contracts and grants coordination in a fast-paced academic environment
  • 5+ years of experience in clinical trial financial management
  • Experience with USC systems, including Workday, Cayuse, and Kuali
  • Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred

Required Skills:

  • Strong understanding of clinical trial methodologies and regulatory requirements
  • Proficiency in Excel for post-award financial management
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a customer service-oriented mindset
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team
  • Excellent time management and ability to prioritize workload effectively
  • Strong financial data analysis, reporting, and presentation skills

Application Requirements:
Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter detailing interest in the position and fit with qualifications
  • 3-5 references, including at least three direct supervisors (letters of recommendation optional)

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying to.


The annual base salary range for this position is $99,645.78 - $120,000,00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience:
5 Years
Minimum Field of 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. 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.

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

                                                  

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$126139.htmld
View original posting on Workday

What applying to University of Southern California usually looks like

Based on publicly available information, candidates applying through Workday for University of Southern California can generally expect a structured online application process, typically involving account creation, submission of a resume, and completion of detailed profile fields that may duplicate resume content. Applicants across roles ranging from clinical and administrative to technical and facilities positions may encounter knockout questions related to qualifications, licensure, or work authorization. After submission, candidates commonly experience an automated confirmation, followed by review periods where response times vary. The process may include multiple stages such as recruiter screening, hiring manager interviews, and possibly panel or skills-based assessments depending on the role. Communication is often conducted through the Workday portal or email, and candidates should typically ensure application materials are tailored to the specific position to align with automated filtering systems commonly used in Workday-based hiring processes.

Based on publicly available information. LandEarly does not verify interview process details.

Land this one early - before the req fills.

LandEarly tailors your resume and screening answers to each posting, submits within minutes of a role going live, and tracks every application in one place.

Set up in minutes · Cancel anytime · No contract

Get startedSee how it works

Keep exploring

What this role pays, where else it is open, and how to write the application.

Program Manager JobsProgram Manager Jobs in Los Angeles, CA - Health Sciences CampusUniversity of Southern California JobsProgram Manager salariesRemote program manager jobsOperations & Finance hiring reportFinance Manager JobsAccountant JobsOperations Manager JobsAll companiesState of the job market
Research Administrator
University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA - Health Sciences Campus
Apply