<p>I am a senior graduating this spring, and I'm planning on pursuing a PhD in neuroscience. I was hoping to work as a lab tech for a year or two to help better define my research interests and potentially get a publication. However, the PI that I currently work for is unsure whether he'll have the funds to hire me full-time, and I have little idea of how else to find a job that will help prepare me to apply to graduate school. Does anyone have any relevant experiences or advice they can share? Is it even likely that I could get a job with a PI that I don't personally know? Thanks.</p>
<p>You should consider doing a postbac at the NIH. One of my lab mates had a really positive experience working there. They accept applications on a rolling basis. In any case your lab skills are what make you qualified. I know many people who have worked as techs after undergrad (I have a job interview tomorrow myself). If you want to stay at your same institution you can ask your P.I. to email your CV to the department, or just check their job listings periodically. You could even apply in a different city and live somewhere cool for a year or two.</p>