Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. These values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary:
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University is seeking a Finance Specialist to support the department’s financial and administrative operations. This position is responsible for managing departmental and faculty discretionary funds, preparing financial transactions, reconciling accounts, and developing financial reports. The role works closely with the Senior Department Administrator and the Dean’s Office Finance Team to ensure budgets, labor distributions, and financial processes are completed accurately and in compliance with university policies.

This position also supports key departmental financial activities, including budget monitoring; preparation of financial documentation such as faculty summer salary, cost share, and budget transfers; and processing student-related payments. The role requires the ability to analyze financial data, track commitments, and identify trends to help ensure sound stewardship of faculty funds and departmental resources.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented and analytical professional with experience working with financial data, budgets, and reporting. They demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy. Successful candidates will work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and finance teams and are committed to supporting the department through effective financial management and administrative support.

Workplace Requirements:
Hybrid position: This position entails work on Rice University’s campus, with the potential for some remote work or flexible work arrangements after the probationary period. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $56,000 to $60,813

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree

  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

• 2+ years of related experience

  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for financial analysis and reporting

• Demonstrated experience working with financial or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems

• Knowledge of financial policies, procedures, and internal controls within a complex organization (higher education experience preferred)

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports and clearly present financial information to faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders

• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to reconcile accounts, analyze financial data, and manage multiple priorities with attention to detail

Essential Functions:

• Manage faculty discretionary funds, including tracking commitments, performing account reconciliations, and processing budget updates and reallocations as needed

• Analyze financial data and perform ad hoc analyses to support departmental decision-making related to departmental budgets, discretionary funds, and resource allocation

• Develop reports and presentations of financial data, metrics, and trends for faculty, departmental leadership, and other stakeholders

• Prepare and process non-labor cost transfers and budget transfers in accordance with the university’s financial policies and internal controls

• Assist with the preparation of faculty summer salary documentation in coordination with the Senior Department Administrator

• Assist with the preparation of faculty Academic Year Time (AYT) and cost share documentation in coordination with the Senior Department Administrator

• Support the annual budgeting process by compiling and analyzing financial data to inform departmental planning and resource allocation

• Work closely with the Senior Department Administrator and the Dean’s Office Finance Team to ensure labor distributions are processed accurately and in a timely manner, and that departmental budgets are regularly reconciled

• Monitor and review student pay reports and process payments for student awards and student travel awards

• Deposit checks and ensure transactions are properly recorded and reconciled

• Execute established internal control procedures and assist in ensuring compliance with applicable financial policies, regulations, and university guidelines

• Develop and maintain desktop procedures and process documentation related to financial and administrative responsibilities

• Identify and resolve financial or administrative issues within the area of responsibility and escalate complex matters as appropriate

• Serve as backup to the Senior Department Administrator as needed

• Perform other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

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Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

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The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University is seeking a Finance Specialist to support the department’s financial and administrative operations. This position is responsible for managing departmental and faculty discretionary funds, preparing financial transactions, reconciling accounts, and developing financial reports. The role works closely with the Senior Department Administrator and the Dean’s Office Finance Team to ensure budgets, labor distributions, and financial processes are completed accurately and in compliance with university policies.