UC San Diego was recently named the 14th best university in the world for the fourth year in a row by the 2016 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and with $1 billion a year in funding, it often finds itself on the leader board for top research institutions. UC San Diego is also home to some of the best and brightest scientist in the world. The research they conduct is as diverse and imp
actful as they are. The impressive administrative workforce who faithfully support this incredible effort are known as Research Administrators (RAs). RAs find themselves having to be masters of all. They need to be well versed in accounting and financial management, compliance, human resources, while maintaining an extensive amount of subject matter expertise regarding sponsors/agencies, various funding instruments like grants and contracts as well as the policies, procedures and regulations, that go along with them. They also have to utilize a plethora of systems and tools in order to perform the transactional functions required of the job and information about the potential auditing that can follow. RAs help with training and development of others and in addition to general knowledge, skills and abilities, understand the complex organizational structure we function within. While most importantly having excellent skills in communications to maintain diplomacy in order to act as liaisons and uphold the best interests of the Principal Investigators and institution they serve, all while working in a deadline driven environment. As part of the Research Administration Training Program, our team aims to support UC San Diego Research Administrators and be the backbone of such hardworking individuals.
