Something somewhat similar has happened to me too. I have a good M.Sc. in engineering, but I applied to the mathematics department. I had written my proposal in applied mathematics, and the professor was willing to supervise me. We even had technical discussions by email back and forth, exchanging literature and coming up with ways to pursue the project. But when I sent in my application, it got rejected because priority for the admissions at the department is given to people with M.Sc in maths. So it didn't work out, even with a willing supervisor and good proposal.
Yet, I know people at other universities who have done this. Just down to different admissions policies.

Hi,
I'd be really grateful if anyone could please pass me this article:

Ukkonen, L., Schaffrath, M., Kataja, J., & Sydanheimo, L. (2006). Evolutionary RFID tag antenna design for paper industry applications. International Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications, 1(1), 107-122.

Its on InderScience:
http://inderscience.metapress.com/content/b66rku2l45ajkpup/

Thank you!

I'm very sorry for your loss stargaze2.
I agree with the other posters, best to take some time away from studies right now. Nothing takes priority over your well being - physical, mental, or otherwise. Plus, the break might also spark new thoughts, or a different perspective on your phd work. That often happens, especially in the sciences.
Best of luck.

Hi Tez1,
I'm currently living right next to Thailand in Malaysia (not a citizen of either though) and can say a few things about this. Academics from the UK are quite highly regarded in South East Asia, and I think you'd be welcome at the faculty. As you said, living among the locals might be a bit of a problem - just like the UK, they do tend to see foreigners as troublemakers (everywhere this, these days!).
Being a expat in Malaysia and in the region is wonderful - BUT only for a short stint. You'll probably find the professional and academic environment somewhat different here - and you may like it, or more probably you may not (which is why I'm trying to leave :D).
With regards to politics, it is usually best to keep quiet around here. Being a foreigner, that's not too difficult because you can always plead plenty of ignorance. There definitely is censorship, but I don't think you'll face it too much in everyday life, unless your field is politics or journalism, or something similar. If it is, then probably better to give vague generalized examples in class and carry out uncontroversial research. You may find though, that a large part of the population actually support your views to some extent. These days, middleclass/urban/student movements are gathering pace in the region. But as an outsider, best to let it go a natural course.
Since you are in humanities, on returning to UK, you could say that it gives you better cultural perspective (I don't know if that would work?). But, research-wise you might find yourself restricted here - which I think would be viewed negatively later - although, it does depend on the university. Malaysian one's are mostly no-no, don't know about Thailand, but Singaporean one's are very highly regarded all over the world for their focus on research. I'm wondering if you've tried for employment there instead?

I agree with Kolab.
Also, a fast way is to catch up on current material in a topic is to look through some dissertations/proposals which are already available online. Most of them have the open issues of a topic listed out, and some have very good literature reviews, both of which can point you to the right direction.
Needless to say, of course do not plagiarize.

Hi Satchi,
I'm not doing PhD at the moment, but there are no replies here, so I thought I'd venture one.

I think it depends largely on the common research methods of the field you want to publish in, and the research method you've used to derive the model/theory. If they are similar, I think a reviewer should not have too much of an objection.
Generally, I think if the theory has been derived in a logical, analytic manner from "first principles" of the field, validation results are not required - but that's not always the case. In mathematics research, most theories (theorems) are derived analytically and there are rarely real world "results" to validate them. However, in engineering and some fields of applied mathematics, you'd better at least have simulated results or real world results to validate your model - often, EVEN if your model is analytically derived from mathematics!
In physics, there is a distinction between theoretical and experimental too. Einstein's original paper on relativity has no validation results. These were obtained and published by experimental physicists many years later.

I'm not very sure about the social sciences, but I do know that generally there are separate fields such as theoretical psychology and experimental psychology (my sister is in the latter, but has studied the former), and theoretical economics and experimental economics. Each usually has its own methods, and I reckon that if a model/theory is derived using that method, it should be acceptable in the field.
I guess you could search journals by checking already published papers to see if your theory/model's derivation conforms to the methods commonly used in them. That method would represent the acceptable "technique of reasoning" in that field.

Hope that helps!

Thanks so much for the replies everyone. I can see everyone recommends I take the offer (actually, I'll definitely be doing that - more so because of finances, really).
Moreover, most of the opinions are that work experience, even if in another field, should reflect positively if/when I apply for PhD. That's what I was worried about and your answers are a big relief to me - thanks! :-)

One of my friends just recommended that I try to keep in touch with my academic referees during working life - I might need them when applying in the future.

Thanks Marasp and Awsoci for the replies.
You are both saying that I could always start PhD later. This is one of the concerns I had. Does spending time working in industry away from studies reflect badly on applying for PhD? As it is, I didn't do too well when I applied straight out of Masters. A few years down the line, would professors reject me because they think I've spent too long away from current research/textbooks? I don't want it to work against me.

Also, I should say that I'm actually REALLY grateful for landing a job. I do know how difficult it is. A good friend of mine and I both finished M.Sc together, and have been living with family for two years cause we couldn't find employment anywhere - not even call centres, or travel agencies!
I hope I didn't come off insensitive towards people here who are similarly unemployed and would consider it the world to find a job - I know I felt that way just a month ago.

Awsoci, about why I want to work in academia, I guess its just my personality type (no, not the obnoxious prof type ;). I love reading, learning and finding new ways to teach hard stuff - its a fulfilling job for me. Yes, I know that is way too idealistic for academia these days, but I wouldn't want to work at the best uni's because of the crazy workload, or chase promotions. I know that it gets pretty messed up in academia, but I suppose its the closest I'll get to what I like doing.

Yes, Ian. I started off about two years ago applying to the PhD positions that are usually advertised on sites like academicjobs, euraxess, etc. Most of these advertisements usually said that the funding is already in place.
After that, I thought of writing a proposal. I wrote one pretty detailed one, and another one less so. I managed to get two professors to agree for supervision too! But, in both cases it didn't work out due to funding rules (I'm a non-EU national) that the supervisors had already applied for.

Hi guys,
I need a bit of advice for my present situation.
Two years of electronics PhD position hunting, and still no luck! Not even close. No acceptances, interviews, nothing. I've written two proposals, both of which have been reviewed really nicely by profs. Some even agreed to supervise, but same old story - no funding.
Due to my own finances, I decided to hunt for jobs too, and now I've landed one at a really good British multinational company. It doesn't pay much, but its a permanent post (which, from what I've heard, is quite a rarity for a first job?). Its in acoustics and vibration, which is quite different from my M.Sc field of electromagnetic design. But I am actually excited about that, because I love to learn, so I think it will be a good chance for me to do that in a completely new field. Another good thing is that its associated with research and design, so I may have some publication opportunities.

The thing is, I really DO still want to do PhD because I've always wanted to work in academia. But, I'm concerned about a few things:
1) Would working away from academia hinder my chances of joining a PhD program in engineering later on? Do profs usually prefer fresh grads who still remember their courses?
2) Since its in another field, would I likely end up being stuck in it? I was thinking of doing part-time PhD if the company lets me, but would it then HAVE to be in the field I'm working in? Would profs even consider me for another field, or would they say I'm unqualified?
3) I know that with a job, I may be able to fund myself, but if the salary isn't enough, are there fee reductions, etc. even for people who are employed? Or do unis assume that since you are working, you can pay everything?

Would love to hear some advice/experience that anyone may have about these concerns. A bit worried about them!

Satchi, yes, it seems it has gotten harder. I hope the right one comes around for me soon. Thanks for the well wishes!

Wowzers, one of the reasons I've been trying mostly European universities is because of the scientific tradition present there. I do try and tailor my application to each university/departments objectives as well. I do write to the potential supervisors whenever I can. Sometimes, if the application deadline is too close, I can't, so I just fire off an application - anyway, I don't expect it to get accepted. Regarding my M.Sc., I took a coursework+research degree. I hope I'm not at a disadvantage because it wasn't completely research based.

Incognito, were you able to secure some financing after admission, or were you self-funded? Hope your job hunting pays off soon.

Noctu, that is very good luck indeed!

TheEngineer - hey! I'm also an engineer :-). Did electronics for undergrad and masters. From what you say, it seems that getting around 40-50 rejections isn't unusual. I really don't know what they look for in engineering PhD admission! Its just crazy the amount that profs expect us to publish, and yes, I've heard it all hinges on publications. I do have a reasonable publication list with a number of citations also, but it hasn't helped in admission...now I'm beginning to feel that all the extra work I put in has been wasted :-(. The pressure to publish is so much, I'm still trying to publish though I'm not affiliated with a uni anymore.

Just wanted to ask if, in your or anyone's experience, the ranking of the university that you did Masters matters much? My uni's ranking isn't GREAT, but its alright. For example, the undergrad program is internationally accredited (Washington Accord), and the M.Sc. program isn't too awful either. Could it be that the uni ranking is getting in the way?

My opinion and experience concurs with Fled and Walter_Opera. It is customary for the university to own the intellectual output of your studies. This might not be mentioned explicitly to you when you join, but it is implied, and often there may be a clause in the university rules and regulations.
The same is often true of an employer, although with companies/government agencies it needs to be clearer. Having worked at a government research center, I can tell you that sometimes the policy is that ANY intellectual output - whether it is directly related to your work or not - while you are under employment belongs to your employer.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Satchi, if you know from people in the same situation, has it gotten harder nowadays than when you were applying to get a position? Come to think of it, not many of my friends/colleagues have landed one easily either. It does get very depressing, but I'm trying my best to think positive.

JanineG, well, I guess my 40 isn't too unusual then. Yes, let's not talk about the job rejections. It seems impossible to land one these days. Best of luck with Leicester and NTU!

TreeofLife, yea, you're right - seems to be exactly like the lottery really. Any tips of how to show enthusiasm in a cover letter? Haven't reached an interview stage anywhere yet.

Fled, its a good idea. I haven't really applied by the rankings. That's not much of a priority for me, so the places I've applied are high and low - anything that might have something close to what I'm doing. I anyway doubt I would get into a highly ranked uni, so sometimes I don't even bother often. I'm just looking for something decent.

Chickpea, I have asked for feedback a few times after the rejection, but I've never received a reply. Most of the rejections come in from HR who have never replied about feedback. Occasionally, the contact prof sends the rejection. I've asked them too, but without much luck - once the reply was simply that there was a better suited candidate. So much for feedback. Is it common to get a reply for feedback? I have written two formal and one informal proposals and sent them in inquiry emails. The feedback for them is "very interesting/brilliant!/good idea/great idea". But when I send my CV/application, things go quiet - I have really no idea why. I've changed my CV around 3 times (now doing it a 4th time) to try and make it better. Just don't know what to do :-(

Thanks for all the encouragement people - really do need it!

Interesting study! Good luck!

Hi
I'm a computer engineer (though I don't say that with any authority - we can rarely explain how or why they work :-), so thought I'd give a few points, hopefully without too much techblab
1) Go for a Mac if you know you want a Mac. Compatibility issues are bound to crop up every now and then. So buy it if you are willing to deal with them. Linux is extremely safe and useful, but not everyone wants to deal with it when it becomes a pain.
2) Win8 is definitely a user interface disaster - but not necessarily a programming disaster. In any case, liked or not, it will be the way forward. So might as well get used to it now. I would recommend Win8.1 though, either pre-installed or upgraded - many good features have been added to it.
3) With Win8, many tabs open, and days of being left on - if there are budget constraints - I'd focus on more RAM, rather than faster processor. Also, faster processors tend to have a higher power consumption which can heat up the laptop, especially if left switched on for long durations of time. They also consume more power, so it might mean you can't use it on battery for extended periods of time.
4) Speaking of battery life, if you want to be able to use it on battery for a long time, check how many cells are in the battery (6, 9, etc). The more the cells, usually the longer it'll last on battery - but the heavier it'll be to carry around.
5) Adding the touchscreen is a good idea to improve the Win8 usability. But I'd stay away from them for a little while until the technology matures. Due to the electronics of how they work, they are not necessarily very stable. Unless you want to go for one of those laptops that convert into tablets.

Hope that helps. Ask anything if you need to. Happy hunting!