Yes, that's right - it was something like consulting, technical writing, and system design. Sometimes I would sit down with the clients and discuss requirements of projects too.
Its actually a nice job (sometimes I do miss it!) because the projects can vary widely and you get to learn a lot when you do the research for the system design/writing. Also, you get good practice in sizing up and breaking down projects into chunks and workflows.

If you plan on going in this direction, you will have do develop some business sense though. Companies only care about 2 things: increasing revenue and reducing man-hours. Understand the business, what their portfolio, market and business model is, and really sell the contributions you can make in revenue and efficiency.

Hi,
After Masters I had a long spell of unemployment. During this I approached a company I knew (it was a technology startup that some uni friends had started, and which I was also involved in before), and did some freelance technical writing for them.
People hate writing grant/client proposals (government R&D funding/client project proposals), especially if they haven't exactly come up with the technical implementation yet. As research students (esp in engineering I guess), we get quite used to this. What the company used to do was give the general idea about what the project was about...I would go and do the research and writing. For most of the projects I would do the system and sub-system design, identify/work out algorithms and flows, do component selection, budgeting/time-lining/milestoning, etc. Even did presentations to the evaluation committees, as an "technical advisor".
Did several of these - they were shopping around for funding/projects, and I didn't charge much for it. They would also call me up for any "tough" technical negotiations they had to do with clients. Had dealings with 3 different unis like this.
Won a 80,000USD govt R&D grant for them (not much, but something). Good experience to point out when applying for PhD/post-doc/academic jobs I guess.

I think you mean something like this link?

I think it depends on your field and where you are intending to do your PhD. I know that in my field of engineering and computer science, MOST universities outside the EU allow you to do that. I don't know about other subjects. ETH is probably one of the few inside EU which allow it, and probably for good reason too - not easy to fulfill its requirements!

Well, that...sucks...

Just a quick question...is this a new, emerging trend for phd positions:

The advertisement says "Age Limit: 26"

Looks like such options are off limits for people like me who were unable to land a place within 1 or 2 years of graduating Masters. Anyone else noticed something like this popping up in other places?

Yes, funding restrictions seem quite unfair, and can be extremely frustrating when you've found exactly the right project, and even a willing supervisor.
But hey, its even worse when you are non-EU!

Dunham, I completely understand your point of view. I referred to specifically that in my first post. If the OP can put PhD aside and continue his/her job and find the satisfaction he/she needs in it, then its great, and he/she can consider dropping the idea of PhD. After all, not everyone does a PhD, and people do live happily without it.

The other alternative is just a different viewpoint that I arrived at, and which I think might be shared by other people. Two years, or even one year, of just sitting around is a very long time for introspection and figuring out what matters to you. Is just getting a job that you cannot feel satisfied in, and only earning money and gaining experience really worth it at the end of the day? Or, would I be satisfied enough in life with a job, but without having gone through the challenge of a PhD? I only know that for me (and possibly, people like me), the answer is that any job which I do manage to land (and I am trying hard! lol), would only be a temporary fix until I get a chance to do PhD.
But, for the OP this is a big question he/she must decide.

I think its down to what Chickpea hinted at - why do you want to do it?

I have spent the past 2 years trying to get a PhD position, so I know the frustration very well. I have sent out more than 50 applications - actually, I've lost count...I stopped numbering them after 50.

I too have an M.Sc. from a non-EU university. That is probably a huge disadvantage. But on university websites, I see lots of international students, including those who haven't studied in the EU, and I wonder what the hell I am doing wrong. I have no idea what is going on...
You are lucky you have a job. I have the same luck with employment. All rejections.

I have thought many times to quit trying for PhD, but teaching and research is what I love to do. I really don't care much about the salary as long as it is enough to live. What I like is the challenge of understanding and coming up with easy ways to put difficult ideas into people's head; and sharing something immensely beautiful and amazing about the world around us.
If you can put PhD aside and continue with your job and gain satisfaction out of it, then its great and wonderful, and it is something that you should do.
But, if you feel that it is your calling in life (as I do) - then at the end of the day, you don't really have a choice. You HAVE to keep trying.

Aha...finally received my rejection email today after contacting HR. Coincidentally, this week marked two years since my M.Sc viva.
Wonder what happened to the other posters on this thread who didnt hear anything.

Unfortunately, I've had this great luck with employment too. The last 7 months were wasted by a UK multinational company which offered me a graduate position last October, and informed me about a week ago that they couldn't get my work permit, despite signing and processing all the employment paperwork.

I have been on-off affiliated with a technology start-up company that I helped found straight out of undergrad. But it is not official, because *drum roll* I don't have immigration permission :-)

I have a 1st class undergrad degree, an excellently graded masters, and two peer reviewed conference publications.
I've been applying for PhD positions (project specific and open call), for about 2 years now. I've written three different full length research proposals, and submitted about 70+ applications.
So far, I've had 2 interviews, and 0 offers.
Apparently it takes time.

Still haven't heard absolutely anything about my application. Its been nearly 2 months since my interview.
I've emailed the main supervisor 2 times, and the head of department 2 times also. Neither has replied. Nor have I received a rejection.
Also, my referees haven't mentioned that they were contacted.
Guess its time to move on.

We tend to feel more forgetful than we actually are, especially before a viva. I was once asked to speak about my M.Sc. dissertation, almost 1.5 year after completing it. Without revising, everything was still there - rather surprised myself!
Good luck - I'm sure you'll do great :-)

Thanks ZA3. Unfortunately, i wasnt given a timeframe by when i would hear back. But as you said, either way both of us will hear back. Hopefully its positive for both of us.

Yes ofcourse.
But i am wondering what to do next. The main supervisor doesnt seem to be replying (or is away or sick or something). The HoD wont be in for another week. Should I email him after 20th? Or is it not his job because he is not the main supervisor? Should i email someone in HR?
Is this normal? The silence has been a bit disappointing