I am currently hired as a PhD student in the lab for 8 months and I would like to look for another PhD position. The main reason is that my interests don't fit the research focus of my current lab. The project I was recruited for is a collaboration with another group (and I am much more interested in their field of research). However, the project seems not to work out. I have another project in parallel, which fits research focus of my current lab, but I am not that excited about it. My current PI is not an expert in the field I am excited about.
I understand now that it was sort of a strategic mistake from my side, to accept an offer from the PI, whose research interest does not correlate that much with mine. Therefore, I consider to apply for other PhD positions in the field, I am more interested in. And I have doubts, how to make the application process smooth.
I understand that it would be better to talk to my PI and explain him my concerns and why I want to change the lab. However, I am afraid he will not take it positively and I might loose current position before I find new one. So it might make sense to keep it confidential before I find a new position.
My question is: when applying for a new position, should I mention in the CV the name of the PI, in whose group I am working now? I know, I should not hide that I already have a position, but would it be better to describe project and techniques I learnt so far, but without contact information of PI and name of the lab? Or should rather I give this information in CV and simply explain my reasons to change and ask in motivation letter to keep confidential that I want to change the lab?