Job Details

Financial Analyst III

Position Number: 7274830
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Business - Finance

Financial Analyst III

Requisition Number: 73061
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 01-Jul-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

Senior level of professional analyst work. Duties include research, selection, and compilation of financial data from multiple sources, such as production, accounting, vendors and subsequent analysis of that data to produce business information used to support decisions. Data are often difficult to obtain and may be diluted with unnecessary data points. Identifies questionable data and may then direct others in verifying the accuracy of data. Provides and presents executive summary of data results in a simplified understandable outline. Work assignments are of the greatest difficulty and largest financial impact. Provides work leadership and direction to other professional and clerical staff with respect to project approach and identification of project tasks. Decisions may impact the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative and business processes.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) is one of the largest research institutes of CU Boulder, the #1 public university recipient of NASA research grants, and one of America's leading aerospace universities. With a focus on solar, stellar, space plasma, atmospheric, and planetary sciences, LASP employs both experimental and theoretical approaches to answer key science questions. Since its inception in 1948, LASP has developed, operated, and analyzed the data from scientific instrumentation for solar science, earth atmospheric, planetary, deep-space, and Earth-orbiting spacecraft missions investigating the Sun, all eight planets, Pluto and beyond. The progressive development of research capabilities and use of innovative technologies in pursuit of emerging research initiatives ensures a continued leadership role for LASP in today's growing "new space" era. Since 2013, LASP has secured over $1.75B in grants and contracts.

Thanks to its distinctive combination of scientific and engineering expertise and its ability both to manage long-term collaborations with agencies such as NASA and to respond to faster-moving opportunities with private sponsors, LASP has grown rapidly in the last decade, with expenditures that exceed well over $150M annually, secured through grants, contracts, and other funding vehicles. Some 400 of LASP's 600-person staff are technical staff and research scientists. The LASP community includes tenure/tenure-track faculty, approximately 110 student employees, 69 graduate students, and 10 postdocs.

An important element of LASP's mission is to train the next generation of space scientists and engineers: through wide-ranging research and flight projects, LASP participates actively in the development of the future leaders of space research and is a leader in educating students with highly valued technical and scientific skills. Undergraduate and graduate student participation is integral to LASP's R&D and operational success. In this regard, LASP has been both a contributor to and beneficiary of the remarkable growth of the state of Colorado's space sector.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Performs work of varied and considerable difficulty requiring advanced data collection, analysis, forecasting, and compiling and writing reports.
Functions as the Financial Program Analyst for multi-year projects. This includes working closely with Engineering Management, Principal Investigators and other project stakeholders to provide financial data analysis, track costs and to advise on financial matters.
Reviews research grants and/or contracts to ensure project compliance with reporting requirements and identify issues as necessary.
Applies knowledge of accounting principles, auditing standards, budgeting principles, auditing standards, budgeting practices, public administration, and/or legal and regulatory compliance.
Interacts frequently with program managers, functional managers, and directors requiring a high level of communication skills to analyze or resolve issues.
Develops, interprets, and/or evaluates compliance with policies and procedures.
May impact policy and budget decisions at the department and lab levels.
Works independently or as a team member within existing guidelines and policies.
Provides peer assistance in specialty area or serves as a leader for a team or small work unit.
Exercises considerable discretion and judgement in making recommendations related to the allocation of funds, expenditures and capital investments.
May conduct special financial and business-related studies and cooperates with other departments in the preparation of analyses.
Consults with program management on the benefits and impacts of critical decisions.
Other duties as assigned to facilitate continuity within research programs at LASP.

What You Should Know

Hybrid schedule: onsite 3 days a week, 9 to 3 core hours.
Potential contact with Export Controlled information.
Due to requirements to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.

What We Can Offer

$99,594.00 - $104,000.00 per year

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree in business or equivalent, with 6 to 9+ years of experience or a master's of business administration and 4 to 7+ years of experience.
Understands the federal, state, and university guiding principles.
Demonstrated ability to research, investigate, analyze, reconcile, and evaluate data.
Able to generate financial statement reports for internal and external customers.
Effective decision-making and accurate analysis of program use of time, money, and resources.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task while under pressure.

What You Will Need

Strong knowledge of federal, state, sponsor, and university financial, compliance, and reporting requirements.
Advanced ability to research, analyze, reconcile, and evaluate complex financial data and contracts.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate financial reports and executive summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and related financial tools.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with directors, faculty, management, and administrative partners.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV.
Cover Letter.

(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree: If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version as an Optional document.

Please apply by 7/1/2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Financial-Analyst-III/73061