I was able to make a good impression on a potential supervisor and he was willing to take me in provided I manage to secure a funding. We both hoped I could get the scholarship from PhD programme but I was not selected.
Now, I still want to join his lab but I was strongly discouraged from doing a totally non-funded PhD. I could wait and apply next year but I don't want a year break. I also don't plan doing a Masters degree as I got plenty of experience from my industrial placement year. Plus, I hope to save paying international tuition fees.
I talked with my university tutor and other researchers that I know and they encouraged me to contact the supervisor and try any way possible to work with him. I could propose working voluntarily during the summer (start the project maybe?) and ask for a technician/assistant position (short contract, 1-2 years) with the hope of him applying for grants when I'm already there, showing my skills etc? That's what I was advised to do.
I wonder how should I phrase that in the email. I don't want to write too much but I still need to convey everything. I guess, I'm not too good at writing and I don't want to ruin any chances I have with him.