In today’s post we meet Boleslaw (Boz) Czarnecki, Research Funding Specialist. Read on to find out about his expertise, what he enjoys about his role and his adventures in the East.
What led you to work at the University?
Before joining RSO I was a researcher. Playing with ideas and turning these into projects had always fascinated me, so when I decided to seek an alternative career path I was pleased to discover that by working in the Research Support Office (RSO) I could remain embedded in the research community and still contribute to exciting research proposals.
How long have you been at the University?
Nearly 2 years with the Research Support Office. Slightly ironically, the date of Brexit will mark 5 years since I first arrived at the University as visiting research fellow in 2014.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
It is fair to say it is a challenging role in many respects. But I also see it as clearly defined around the University of Edinburgh’s mission to enable new knowledge and understanding for the public good. This gives me a strong sense of purpose. The role brings a lot of opportunities to work with interesting people across the University and beyond, and that’s fantastic too.
Ask me about…
Funding opportunities, scheme requirements, due diligence, costings, award letters and standard collaboration agreements. Feel free to ask any pre-award question – if I don’t have an answer, I’ll find out or tell you who can answer.
What are you working on just now?
With four Schools in my portfolio, there’s always something happening on the applications front [Boz is responsible for HCA, Divinity, LLC and Moray House School of Education]. Apart from that I am preparing for my Erasmus+ visit at the Nanyang Technological University this summer. I have also been involved in a few additional projects with colleagues in Moray House, the Institute for Academic Development and the Strategic Research Development Team in RSO.
What do you like doing when you are not being a Research Funding Specialist?
Lots of stuff, really. Travelling is usually at the top of my list; this includes the consequences travelling, such as my recent venture into the Japanese aesthetics.
Favourite thing to do in Edinburgh?
Running around Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park.
