I applied through other source. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at MIT (Cambridge, MA) in Dec 2008
Interview
initial contact at conference, then e-mail application with resume. e-mail reply back with request for letters of recommendation. 1 hr presentation about research done, 1 hour interview with Pi about reasearch done, ongoing research in the lab and my research interests. 1:1 or 1:3 meetings with alsmost all lab members.
final meeting with PI, positive vibe, should let know my project interests and put that on paper.
e-mail correspondence about when and how to start
Questions to figure out if you how much of the work you presented you did your self and questions to figure out your general scientific thinking and knowledge