Research & Financial Operations Specialist

Employer: Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA, United States
Category: Administration
Job function: Administrative Services Administrator
Workplace type: Hybrid
Contract type: Regular
Grade: H
Posted: 2026-07-28T22:26:24+00:00

Stanford University, located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, is one of the world’s leading teaching and research universities. Since its opening in 1891, Stanford has been dedicated to finding solutions to big challenges and to preparing students for leadership in a complex world. We are seeking candidates who are progressive thinkers, see challenges as simply problems to solve, and have the spirit and energy to change the world.

About the Department of Microbiology & Immunology:

Our Department includes distinguished faculty and staff. It is a community of over 200 individuals in the School of Medicine with a mission to conduct the best possible research and provide the most rigorous and inspiring training in the areas of microbiology, immunology, host-pathogen interaction and related fields.

The Department was founded almost 100 years ago and has gone by a number of names, including the Department of Medical Microbiology. Each name reflecting a particular stage in the evolution of medicine and the life sciences. Our current name was granted by the University in 1987 when the Department made a major push to expand its focus into the complex interplay between microbe and host. This is a unifying theme that permeates the Department's research and teaching and that only seems to be growing in relevance with each passing year. Our goal is to improve human and animal health as well as to improve our ability to be responsible stewards of a fragile earth

About the Position:

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is seeking an experienced Research & Financial Operations Specialist to support multiple faculty members and their labs in the areas of finance, research administration, and lab operations, along with providing general departmental support with limited supervision. Our core values emphasize professionalism, integrity, personal responsibility, and service.

We are looking for a proactive self-starter with a positive attitude – someone who is resilient, resourceful, and easily adapts to new tasks and changing circumstances. The ideal candidate will thrive in our dynamic culture and embody a customer-centric, collaborative approach. They will demonstrate sound judgement, effective communication skills (both written and oral), and meticulous attention to detail.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work and multi-task in a complex research environment.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects related to finance, research administration, and lab operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions regarding complex financial and administrative matters.
• Subject matter expertise in research administration, sponsored projects, university financial systems, and/or lab operations
• Proficiency with Oracle, Oracle BI, Excel, and other financial/data analysis tools.
• Knowledge of federal regulations (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance), sponsor requirements, and university policies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally use a telephone.
• Rarely lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.

* - 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 his or her job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Occasional evening and weekend hours.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Core Duties:

• Independently implement, administer and evaluate day-to-day activities of the unit, function or program by identifying and executing tasks and objectives, making recommendations that impact policies and programs, and assigning resources to achieve the goals of the program.
• Collect and analyze data, create reports, review and explain trends; formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and/or recommendations to achieve the goals of the program or function.
• Analyze and interpret policies; develop, revise and implement procedures for program or function.
• Represent the program or function as the key contact and subject matter expert within the department, unit or school. Commit resources and provide information and/or training. May also represent the program or function to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
• Organize and/or participate in outreach activities that may include developing communications and training, planning/promoting events and/or conferences.
• May participate in development of budgets, monitor, and approve expenditures. May perform limited forecasting and provide recommendations that determine the budget.
• May direct staff to perform various tasks and assignments. May also supervise staff.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work and multi-task.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Relevant subject matter knowledge.
• Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.