Not cynical at all. Speaking from experience, it is just reality. They are still scientists, but in practice it is more like the technical lead who also does

Not cynical at all. Speaking from experience, it is just reality. They are still scientists, but in practice it is more like the technical lead who also does the fundraising. At least in the US, universities do not take "good care" of their researchers. Researchers take care of the university. Direct funding and overhead income from grants is super important to university budgets.