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Research Finance Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$89K - $89K/yr

... post-award financial management, ensuring alignment with institutional, NCI, and sponsor ... MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN CLINICAL RESEARCH TRIAL FINANCE If interested, apply today. Experience ...

FINANCIAL SERVICES MANAGER

Roanoke, VA ยท On-site +1

$81K - $129K/yr

Serves as Grant Finance Manager for Research & Development (R&D), with responsibility for managing the full grant lifecycle for research studies. This role supports proposal development, measures ...

$85K - $96K/yr

The Senior Research Finance Analyst process a wide variety of post award management tasks while providing outstanding customer service to colleagues, and the research community, as well as ...

Research Contracts Admin

Evansville, IN ยท On-site

$19.14 - $26.79/hr

Help Advance Clinical Research Through Strong Financial and Contract Management We are seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Research Contracts Administrator to join our Clinical Research team.

$77K - $115K/yr

Oversees development and management of operating and capital budgets with SMD, coordinating the ... Develops financial models and business plans for new research initiatives, cores, and collaborative ...

They manage our company's financials and relationships with our investor community to ensure we ... Experience supporting R&D, engineering, or innovation-driven organizations. * Solid knowledge of ...

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Research Finance Manager information

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$50K

$98.6K

$173.5K

How much do research finance manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for research finance manager in the United States is $98,569.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $114,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some of the common challenges faced by a Research Finance Manager when supporting multiple research projects simultaneously?

A Research Finance Manager often oversees the budgets and compliance for several research projects at once, which can be challenging due to varying funding agency requirements and timelines. Balancing the priorities of different principal investigators, tracking expenses across multiple grants, and ensuring timely financial reporting are frequent hurdles. Strong organizational skills, proactive communication with research teams, and up-to-date knowledge of sponsor regulations are essential for success. Effective collaboration with both finance and research staff helps to address issues before they escalate and ensures smooth project operations.

What does a Research Finance Manager do?

A Research Finance Manager oversees the financial aspects of research projects within an organization, such as a university or research institute. Their responsibilities include budgeting, monitoring expenditures, ensuring compliance with funding agency regulations, and preparing financial reports. They work closely with researchers and administrative staff to make sure grant funds are used properly and efficiently. This role is crucial in supporting the financial health and integrity of research programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Finance Manager, and why are they important?

To succeed as a Research Finance Manager, you need expertise in financial management, budgeting, and grant administration, usually supported by a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Familiarity with financial software (such as Oracle or SAP), grant management systems, and knowledge of federal compliance regulations is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with researchers and stakeholders. These skills ensure accurate financial oversight, compliance with funding requirements, and the smooth execution of research projects.

What is the difference between Research Finance Manager vs Financial Analyst?

AspectResearch Finance ManagerFinancial Analyst
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA or CFA often preferredBachelor's in Finance, Economics, or related field; CFA beneficial
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, universities, or corporate R&D departmentsFinancial services firms, corporations, or investment banks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in academic, research, and corporate research settingsCommon in banking, investment firms, and corporate finance teams

The Research Finance Manager focuses on managing financial aspects of research projects, ensuring funding compliance, and budgeting within research settings. In contrast, a Financial Analyst analyzes financial data to support investment decisions, budgeting, and forecasting. While both roles require strong financial skills and certifications like CFA, their work environments and primary responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Research Finance Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Research Finance Manager jobs? Cities with the most Research Finance Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Finance jobs? The most popular types of Research Finance jobs are:
What states have the most Research Finance Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Finance Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Research Finance Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,569 per year, or $47.4 per hour.
Research Finance Analyst

Research Finance Analyst

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description


**Please note: This position requires being onsite at least 2 days per month
Job Summary:
Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced administrator to independently manage the financial and post-award components of research, awards and transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies. Work on proposals and awards of diverse scope where analysis of data requires thorough understanding of complex regulations. Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official. Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and / or multiple sub awards. Guides less experienced staff Typically manages complex grants / and contracts which require task budgets, option years, multiple investigators and multiple sub awards.
Department Overview:
The Division of Hematology/Oncology is one of the largest and most complex divisions in the Department of Medicine. Currently, the Division has 100 Full-time faculty, 15 emeritus and volunteer faculty, 25 ACGME and non-ACGME fellows, 24 post-doctoral fellows, 58 non-faculty academics, and 51 administrative, research, and programmatic staff. The Division's primary research, clinical and teaching functions are primarily split between the Parnassus and Mission Bay campuses, although the faculty, fellows, and staff have appointments and clinical, research, and educational activities at ZSFG, and VAMC as well.
The Division has a dedicated team of Research Financial Analysts (RFAs). Each RFA is responsible for providing high-level financial analyses and management to a defined group of faculty for their portfolio of sponsored awards. The RFA serves as the faculty's single point of contact for research financial issues and ensures that faculty are provided with high quality, efficient, responsive, and responsible post-award research administration services.
Responsibilities
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential. Generally, include those functions that account for 10% or more of the work, i.e., key items that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job. The functions should add up to 100%.
of time
Essential Function (Yes/No)
Key Responsibilities
(To be completed by Supervisor)
10
Yes
Organizes, plans, establishes and monitors fiscal budget control of contracts and grants administration, gifts, endowments and privately funded projects for faculty research programs. Works with OSR during the proposal stage by providing input for budget preparation and tracking PI effort to ensure there is no budget or effort overlap. Oversees the administration of contract and grant funds to ensure funds are used in accordance with sponsor guidelines and tracks expenditures against the budget. Ensures that gift and endowments funds are used in compliance with their intended purpose and donor restrictions
20
Yes
Provides post-award financial administration and management for research funds in accordance with organization policy and agency requirements. Monitors spending to ensure compliance with regulations related to allowable costs, cost sharing, and effort reporting. Reviews project expenditures to ensure they are in line with budget amounts and identifies variances and deviations that need to be addressed. Reconciles financial transactions to confirm they are properly recorded and accounted for while complying to both University and sponsor requirements. Prepares and submits financial reports and invoices in a timely manner in accordance with sponsor policy.
10
Yes
Provides guidance and counsel on complex research administration matters, including compliance regulations, to principal investigators and division management. Interprets and communicates University and sponsor policies to the PI and obtains additional clarification and support when necessary. Collaborates with OSR at the proposal stage to support PI inquiries regarding eligibility criteria, application requirements, and funding restrictions.
10
Yes
Reviews award letter and budget with PI, division management, and others as necessary (e.g., purchasing agents) to ensure that funds will be spent within budget and in compliance with awarding agency and campus policies. Prepares monthly budget status reports and relevant supplemental data for the PI to present an accurate financial portrait and informs the PI of any variances in regards to personnel effort or expenditures that deviates from the budget. Reviews procurement transactions to ensure there are sufficient funds available for the purchase and the items purchased are allowable.
20
Yes
Manages and monitors finances of all research accounts of assigned faculty and initiates and/or supervises all necessary accounting transactions to maintain account integrity. Meets regularly with PIs to ensure their active participation in portfolio management. Analyzes ledgers; creates budget projections and forecasts; provides status reports to chief, division management PIs on regular basis; prepares interim budget reports; prepares re-budgeting actions and drafts sponsor correspondence.
10
Yes
Works closely with OSR to initiate necessary correspondence (NCE, carry forward requests) and to submit proposals. Communicates with OSR the need to initiate subcontracts on prime awards managed. Obtains and checks invoices from subcontractors and consultants; sends all relevant subcontract information to CGA. Initiates and maintains ongoing, timely and effective communication with all relevant parties throughout the entire post-award process (e.g. agencies, investigators, division management and AAs, OSR, contracts and grants, other campus units, etc.)
10
Yes
Independently gathers information as needed to perform financial analysis. Independently generates final financial reports for non-federal sponsoring agencies and reviews federal FFR prepared by CGA. Independently prepares and submits invoices for projects and coordinate with CGA to ensure accounts receivable and revenue is properly recorded. Manages close-out of projects, including equipment management, invention statements, subcontract close-outs, final progress reports, small business reports, relinquishment of grant, etc.
10
Yes
Applies professional knowledge / experience to prepare, review and / or approve financial transactions. Initiates payroll distribution changes to ensure integrity of payroll charged to research account, reviews and signs cost transfers; initiates cost transfers if necessary. Coordinates ledger reconciliation with divisional staff and ensures completion of GL Verification forms for assigned awards. Assists in support of audits as directed by senior staff.
0
0
0
100%
(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, business or related area
  • 3 or more years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of training and experience
  • Efficient time management skills and ability to multi-task in a high-volume environment; ability to adapt to changing priorities; ability to independently follow through on tasks or projects to completion
  • Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
  • Understand general fund accounting, purchasing, and budgeting, financial projection and business planning concepts.
  • Excellent computer skills and facility with using MS Excel (sorting, pivot tables, filtering, basic formulas)
  • Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
  • Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.
  • Independent judgment and strong organization and communication skills and customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.
  • Strong interpersonal skills at all levels within the organization; advanced critical thinking skills; and attention to detail.
  • Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences. Ability to effectively present complex financial information both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Previous working experience in an academic environment
  • Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
  • Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.
  • Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.

About Us
About UCSF
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Salary Information
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html