This position supports the Research Accounting Department by handling fund setup for grants and gifts, subcontract invoicing, and cash receipt coding. Responsibilities include updating aging schedules, filing award and proposal documents, and assisting with journal and budget entries. The role also provides general support to the department with other tasks such as financial reporting, compliance reviews, and other assigned projects.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation. 

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Fund Setup

• Set up funds for gifts and grants in the financial system based on award documents (attributes, budgets, indirect costs, and funding sources).
• Ensure proper fund set-up to support reliable reporting in external systems.
• Create electronic grant files in the Banner Document Management System.
• Prepare fund checklists after setup is complete.

Accounting and Financial Functions

• Review and code payments to grants and gifts on cash receipt report.  Update aging report as payments are received.
• Monthly subcontract invoicing for incoming subawards comparing expenditures to awarded budget.
• Setup budgets as outlined in awarded proposal.
• Review lab purchases under $2,500 for compliance with agency and institutional policies.
• Prepare and process journal entries, including graduate student expenses, budget adjustments, monthly scientific services, and entries to funds as requested by the RACT team.

Department Operations

• Distributes monthly reports to the RACT team which include financial report due dates, personnel distribution changes, chart of accounts, and other reports as needed.
• Manages and purchases department office supplies, provides phone coverage, and other basic office management.
• Prepares and sends monthly central supply memos to labs.
• Sends quarterly time and effort reports to faculty.

Special Projects

• Completes special projects as requested by Director and Assistant Director/Manager of Research Accounting Department within the scope of post award administration of sponsored research projects.
• Process fiscal year end journal entries for the Sr. Director of RACT.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $24.00-$28.00 hourly. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

What we Require

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of professional experience in research administration or financial operations.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office.

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About Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Salk scientists are dedicated to innovative biological research. The Salk Institute consistently ranks among the leading research institutions in the world for its faculty's contributions and the impact of their findings. Focused both on discovery and on mentoring future generations of researchers, Salk scientists make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of cancer, aging, Alzheimer's, diabetes and infectious diseases by studying neuroscience, genetics, cell and plant biology, and related disciplines. "We lead biological research. We prize discovery. Salk is where cures begin."Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, the Salk Institute offers a warm, collegial and collaborative work environment, where employees enjoy a generous benefits program. Social activities on campus encourage interaction as a community.

Connections working at Salk Institute for Biological Studies