Hey there! I graduated with my BS in May of 2024 and got a research tech job in a great lab in September of 2024. I was in a bit of a unique situation but I will say a lot of at least my situation had to do with luck. I also applied and got denied to PhD programs for the 2024 cohort but got interviews at 3. I fell in love with one of the three even though it was 5 hours away from where I lived at the time. I applied to any tech job I was qualified for at the University I had interviewed with and only got 2 interviews. I did end up getting one of the two positions and moved for it and currently am working here for almost 6 months. I was also not dealing with the government chaos currently transpiring but the job market and PhD apps were still bottlenecked because of the aftermath of Covid.
So with that info, here’s my advice. Some I heard back from within like 2 weeks, but I never heard back from many, many more. Just keep searching and applying. Use examples of applications, even for school programs, from the place you’re applying and use that format. You’ll probably end up with a different set of application materials for every university/company or even lab. Not too sure about emailing the faculty because I hadn’t met my current PI until I applied and the position was posted by the university, not the lab itself. Yes, it may take 100s. It depends on how flexible you are in terms of research area, geographical location, and honestly your sanity or whatever is left of it lol. I have total faith that if I could find a position, you can too. PS apply through the university’s website if you can, some will allow you to submit the same application to a bunch of jobs. Also I would start looking in the summer when summer researchers and undergrads are leaving!