Project Assistant Jobs in San Diego, CA
Project Assistant jobs in San Diego are concentrated in defense and aerospace, biotech and life sciences, and technology, with roles clustered in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and downtown's emerging innovation corridor. Employers actively hiring right now include UC San Diego, Jobot, and C.W. DRIVER. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
#141762 HNRP Project Assistant III - Psychiatry - Hybrid
Filing Deadline: Fri 10/30/2026UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.
UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/21/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.
Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.
This position will work a hybrid schedule which includes a combination of working both onsite at Hillcrest and remote.
DESCRIPTION
The UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry ranks among the nation's leading academic psychiatry departments, recognized for its exceptional research enterprise, innovative clinical programs, and outstanding educational training. Our faculty and staff are driving meaningful advances in mental health science, delivering transformative patient care, and shaping the next generation of clinicians and researchers. We offer a collegial, high-achieving work environment where talented professionals are empowered to grow, collaborate, and contribute to work that matters.
Under supervision, the HNRP-CMCR Project Assistant III will independently provide fiscal and administrative support in the Department of Psychiatry. Duties include managing expenditures and reconciles operating ledgers monthly using Transaction Sampling process (reviewing invoices and packing slips). As office of record, ensures the department and/or the labs have the necessary documentation in case of an audit. Other duties include transaction sampling, reconciling human subject payments, processing travel reimbursements, coordinating research supply orders, reconciliation of monthly operating ledgers, processing business transactions (e.g. cost transfers), development and maintenance of Excel spreadsheets, interpretation of policies and procedures related to contracts and grants and assistance with special projects. Serve as liaison with Disbursements, Facilities and Telecommunication offices, and must be able to independently manage, administer, and reconcile departmental financial operations across HNRP-CMCR, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and fiscal integrity. Ensure compliance with federally based funding and make reconciliations in conjunction with business officer and fund manager. Must have awareness of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and will assist with other project and miscellaneous tasks as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Substantive knowledge and proven ability to monitor expenditures and reconcile operating ledgers monthly using Transaction Sampling process (reviewing invoices and packing slips).
Strong demonstrated computer skills.
Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining spreadsheets. Efficient and accurate data entry skills.
Strong skill communicating clearly and effectively with staff, faculty and the public, using tact, diplomacy and confidentiality in person, over the phone and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to identify problems, develop solutions, and take corrective action.
Proven ability to prioritize work in an environment with frequent interruptions, using good judgment.
Proven ability to processes business transactions: cost transfers, personal reimbursements, and encumbrance lifts under direction of the business office and fund managers.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret University operating ledgers and knowledge of proper procedures for correcting errors.
Demonstrated knowledge of UCSD policies and accounting practices.
Demonstrated knowledge of Scrip policies and procedures.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with contracts and grants (including federal grants) applications and reporting guidelines, procedures and forms.
Demonstrated experience with disbursement processes and procedures.
Demonstrated skills using databases.
Intermediate skill using Macintosh computers, MS Word and MS Excel.
Demonstrated knowledge of Oracle Financial Cloud (OFC), UCPath Business Analytics Hub (BAH), Kuali Research (KR), Concur, ANAPLAN PIPER and FSWs, Blink, AccessLink or equivalent programs.
Demonstrated knowledge of University policy and procedures regarding purchasing, returned goods, travel, disbursements, inventory, and contract and grant administration.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively and diplomatically at all organization levels, both verbally and in writing. Proven ability to work effectively with a diverse population, including the business community, academics, staff and students.
Demonstrated experience independently managing, developing, and revising procurement/travel/reimbursements standard operating procedures and guidelines. Proven ability interpreting policies and develops processes to ensure compliance with new regulations and participates in continuous improvement of processes.
Demonstrated experience overseeing human subject payment process for checks and gift cards for approx. 20 studies, using scheduling and human subject compensation tracking databases (including travel to pick up gift cards).
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
Pay Transparency Act
Annual Full Pay Range: $64,498 - $92,436 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $30.89 - $44.27
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.
UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational — or "bench-to-bedside" — research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!
Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.
UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Job Details
See All 241+ Project Assistant Jobs in San Diego
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Find Project Assistant JobsProject Assistant Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- UC San Diego126

- Jobot10

- C.W. DRIVER10
- RIMEPRO10
- Harvey10

Top Industries Hiring
- Education21
- Staffing & Recruiting10
- Consulting & Professional Services10
Project Assistant Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a project assistant job in San Diego?
Target San Diego's dominant sectors first: defense contractors along the I-15 corridor, biotech firms in Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley, and technology companies in Kearny Mesa. Employers in these clusters hire project assistants to support program managers and cross-functional teams on complex, deadline-driven work. Candidates who demonstrate experience with scheduling tools, documentation, and coordinating across departments stand out in San Diego's technical and highly regulated industries.
Which companies hire project assistants in San Diego?
San Diego project assistant roles are posted by UC San Diego, Jobot, and C.W. DRIVER and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. San Diego's hiring mix leans toward large defense primes, life sciences companies, and government contractors, many of which maintain ongoing project assistant pipelines for multi-year programs.
Are there remote project assistant jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though it depends heavily on the role type. Project assistants supporting on-site operations, laboratory environments, or defense facilities are typically required in person. About 32% of project assistant openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, concentrated in technology, consulting, and administrative support functions where coordination can happen without a physical presence.
How can I get a project assistant job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is through administrative or coordinator roles inside defense contractors, research hospitals like UC San Diego Health, or biotech companies that regularly onboard early-career candidates. Internship programs at institutions such as Scripps Research or local government agencies also feed into project assistant roles. Familiarity with Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or Asana and exposure to project documentation practices give entry-level candidates a concrete edge.
Which industries hire the most project assistants in San Diego?
Most project assistant openings in San Diego sit in Education, Staffing & Recruiting, and Consulting & Professional Services, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. San Diego's concentration of defense contractors, federally funded research institutions, and venture-backed biotech companies creates sustained, year-round demand for project support roles across both private and government-adjacent employers.
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