OK. I can see. Well, what you say makes sense. However, people understand different things when talking about research. I can see in your case it is more refer to researching customers needs, right?
However, did you stumble across any need in making computer models of technological things such as hardware or a physical sensor? Or writing a piece of software that could help other engineers/researches do their work?
I guess I am mainly interested in sort of "scientific research" rather than "customer" or "market" research. Still, looking for a technological candidate to solve a potential problem... that also interesting. Was it this that you were doing exactly?

@Others? Any other ideas? :)

This is quite impressive. You must certainly be right when it comes to the experience.
If I am not mistaken, your work was something like a mixture of technical writing and consulting. Am I correct?

How about other people? Any experience? :) Please share!

Good point. In principle I would only need licenses for software such as MATLAB and/or COMSOL. They cost a few thousands of dollars, but perhaps they could be covered by the customers? Especially if they'd need the licenses themselves later or they already have them. As an alternative of course there is Python and others that are free of charge.

Hello Fellow Researchers,

I am writing on this forum, since most likely the majority of you are either planning or have planned a research career. However, I am interested in how many of you have considered working as freelancers within the R&D world? Has anyone tried or knows someone who tried? From what I can see most of us face either academic future or working in some established company that has means to support the research.

But do you know any individuals who followed a different path? Please share your stories.

When it comes to me, two years have passed since I have left the university. Although I have not completed my degree, I did manage to find a R&D job. It's not impossible. But now, after working in a company for 2 years I would like to be independent, leave the office, but still do science. Does anyone have ideas or advice? Or perhaps is in a similar position? Maybe we should touch-base?

Here it comes. I think it is a high time to continue with the story, for all those for you, who might be going through a similar situation.

What I did: Around 2 weeks after my last post at this forum, I had a meeting with the supervisor. At that meeting she attacked me verbally, which was a turning point. From that moment I stopped asking myself whether I want to leave, but started executing my "escape plan". I went on a sick leave and started contacting companies and universities for work. At the same time, I studied law, my contact and other cases at the university. When I got employment, I just simply called her and said goodbye. The rest of the staff was already aware of my situation. I managed that: I landed safely outside of the university without making a havoc and managed not to break all the good or neutral connections.

What I do now: I work in a company as a researcher. I know I will have another chance for a PhD in the future, but it is up to me to take it. My work demands PhD skills but not the degree. In other words, I have found a way-around in my career, but not given up my dreams. I just add that I was not initially hired as a researcher, but rather got the position as a result of my skills and persistence.

Conclusions for those, who're going through hell right now:
1. No point of putting up with someone, who is only draining your life energy - you are the owner of your life.
2. Leaving PhD programme is NOT the end of the world, despite of what you might think at the moment.
3. Try to leave without unnecessarily "hurting" innocent people - try to leave a good impression if possible.
4. Be aware of the possible implications coming from your contract - read it carefully if you haven't.
5. Don't give up your dreams - life is somewhat bigger than your PhD programme.
Good Luck!

It's not that dramatic. By 'havoc' I mean my supervisor gets angry and tries to revange by giving bad references to any potential employer.

I'm not worried about the MSc students. First of all, it's her responibility, not mine. Second, they're doing fine and soon will be finished.

The labs have technical support, but they don't have process developers... in this way they're fresh. There needs to be few 'generations' of PhD students that will contribute and spin it off. I'm the first, so I get the hardest (and also most self-developing!) task. The problem is that the 'little bricks' I put one by one are not something I can publish. So it's a lot of husstle, but very low potential for giving off publications. As I said, it's a great and challenging job (so far I like it the most), but that's not going to help my PhD much... not if it's not carefully planned.
And yes, my supervisor has little equipment knowledge, but on the theoretical end she's not that strong either.

And the facillities? Well, there's going to be a next person, I'm sure.

Thank you all for very honest replies.

I will rethink, however at least I have the feeling of trying everything...
1. changing my approach, making the meetings more 'formal'
2. honest talk
3. working hard, delivering on her needs and deadlines
4. asking for a co-supervisor (and being refused)
5. talking to the PhD concellour, and being forced to make a precise plan
6. being asked twice to make the plan as vague as possible by my supervisor... (looks like someone is afraid of taking responsibility....)
7. forcing the supervisor to get a co-sup (being granted, but the guy tries to avoid confrontations, paying on the same lines as her for safety)

The problem is that she has no knowledge, no 'vision' of this PhD project and yet she feels indispensible and tries to interfere with everything. I'm quite sure that comes from the fear of being seen as incompetent... especially she the co-supervisor suggest something good, she tries to add-on to it making it even more stupid than it initially was. My point rarely matters to her, whereas her advice are often contradictory and when shown/proven so, she reacts with anger and dispair. I'd feel much more comfortable having no supervisor than having her, but I got an "unspoken message" from the faculty that if someone is to be changed, it'll be me.

Well... I guess the only way to carry on is to pretend to do as she says, but doing my things. But that's bloody hard, when you're asked to tackle both theory and practice and especially in the fresh scientific environment where you have 3-6 months to build what was achieved the last 20 years in other countries. Doing only that would make me feel strong... but the presonal struggle against someone sho sticks her nose all the time, but escapes when the responsibility comes in, makes me ...depleted.

I would feel much better knowing that "I don't have to do it".
Any more ideas, besides "family reasons"?

I'll try to keep my case as short as possible.

I want to quit my PhD. I'm pretty much clear on that, but I'm posting this message to ask the more experienced people, how I can do it smart way, such that I don't end up being blocked for a (good) job or perhaps even an another PhD position elsewhere.

The problem is: the supervisor. - (let me share a bit of a background such that you don't think I'm a complainer or a troublemaker. Those that believe me already, you don't need to read)
The problem started early, but I totally overlooked it. I was admitted into a nice-sounding, interdisciplinary research project with "lots of money involved" and "broad community". It was supposed to be a dream (not easy! - challenging) project giving challenges and satisfaction. The supervisor was a nice woman, known as a kind and social person, who made a lot of promises. However I got to know here better and gradually realised that all those promises were fake and intended to drag me into the project and expoit. She turned out to be egotistic, with little knowledge, who needed a "winning horse" to push the way...

I struggled.

Then it turned out that the lab facillities are fresh and lack expertise.. I struggled even more, preparing the way for both me and the MSc students... both merithorically and formally I was leading the enterprenourship.

For the last 15 months, I worked 150-200%. I tried to change myself, change her (series discussions with the councellor) or simply pretending to listen to stupid advice, but carrying on. Although she's satisfied with me (only when the results come), I'm fed up.

but there's one issue:

Both the country and community are small and she's generally liked by everyone for being social...... how can I quit "smoothly and gently"? How to make sure that the recommendations I get are at worse neutral? I don't I want to endure this PhD for 1.5 more years...