Research Financial Ops Spec I

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

400990 Clin & Trans Science Institute

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 108 H

Compensation Range:

$24.91 - $34.87

Responsibilities:

Under general supervision, the Research Financial Ops Spec I serves as the institutional lead and subject matter expert for the Advarra Participant Payments application, ensuring effective implementation, configuration, maintenance, and ongoing administration in support of human subject research. This role manages system functionality, user provisioning, compliance oversight, financial workflows, and integration with institutional research and financial systems. The Research Financial Ops Spec I partners with PIs, study teams, Finance, HR, Accounts Payable, IRB, Legal, and Advarra to ensure compliant, timely, and accurate participant compensation across the research portfolio.

The Research Financial Ops Spec I provides enterprise-level support and training to end users, develops and maintains institutional policy and standard operating procedures, monitors audit risks, and leads continuous improvement initiatives to optimize system usage, controls, and reporting.

Essential Functions:

• Budget and Financial Support – Manages the Participant Payment platform, and serves as institutional lead and subject matter expert for participant payments, including creation of protocols in the payment system using the IRB approved Informed consent & protocol documents.  Oversees RedCap projects related to Payments, disseminates payment cards directly to study teams, and manages payment card inventory to ensure compliant, timely, and accurate participant compensation across the research portfolio. Develops, in partnership with study teams, budget information to ensure inclusion of appropriate Participant Payment platform costs
• Application support – Maintains financial information in CTMS and tracking tools. Builds study calendars and ensures alignment with protocol requirements.  Independently triages all University requests and inquiries to support program utilization, and escalates inquiries and concerns to senior leadership and the participant payments vendor as needed  
• Responsibility
• Data and Reporting – Develop and report monthly metrics to OCR Director and CTSI leadership, creates monthly journal entries to appropriately charge studies for stipend payments, and ensures studies are  appropriately charged for card utilization. Works with Accounts Payable to facilitate compliance with federal tax regulations.  
• Administrative Support and Communication – Serves as a contact for daily queries from faculty, study teams and staff across the university, as well as with university central offices (including accounts payable, ORPA, IRB and legal), and externally with the participants payment vendor for issues related to participant payments. Provides routine communication and documentation support to investigators, study teams, and OCR financial staff
• Learning and Process Support – Develops and delivers training materials, and regularly communicates important updates to users of the participant payments system.
• Other Duties as Assigned – Performs related work supporting OCR operations and professional development.

Minimum Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, life sciences or a related field required
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Related experience in financial administration, healthcare, or research operations preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Attention to detail, organization, and time management required
• Strong communication skills required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required
• Willingness to learn CTMS and financial systems required

Licenses and Certifications:

• CLASP Certification within a year of being hired if not already certified required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.