Did anyone apply for EB-2 from outside of US without a job offer and got an approval?

[XBionic]

I particularly refer to that part of the policy which covers the details of an application for EB-2 without a job offer from american employer and in case if evidence of the national interest (NIW) is present:

Employment Second Preference (E2)

Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees, or Persons of Exceptional Ability receive 28.6 percent of the yearly worldwide limit, plus any unused Employment First Preference visas. All Second Preference applicants must have a labor certification approved by the DOL, or Schedule A designation, or establish that they qualify for one of the shortage occupations in the Labor Market Information Pilot Program (later). A job offer is required and the U.S. employer must file a petition on behalf of the applicant. Aliens may apply for exemption from the job offer and labor certification if the exemption would be in the national interest, in which case the alien may file the petition, Form I-140, along with evidence of the national interest. There are two subgroups within this category:

1.Professionals holding an advanced degree (beyond a baccalaureate degree), or a baccalaureate degree and at least five years progressive experience in the profession; and
2.Persons with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business. Exceptional ability means having a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered within the field.

How can this apply to an individual who graduated with a PhD from british university with a few papers published, incl. one publication in american journal? The individual has some experience of work within financial industry, which however wasn't linked directly with the subject of the PhD study. What will be the best way for the person to apply for EB-2 visa? and what are the chances of getting an approval?