Jadon Lin
Jadon is a PhD candidate in the School of Physics at the University of Sydney Faculty of Science. He won the University's 2026 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Final and placed second at the Asia Pacific Final.
My research topic is solving major challenges to lightsails – large tissue-like spacecraft that are propelled by light from giant lasers to neighbouring star systems.
I wanted to study lightsails for my PhD because the types of challenges to solve and the physics involved are unlike any other. By finding unique solutions to these challenges, I also want to show that lightsails, which seem crazy at first glance, are a realistic and feasible proposal.
I had worked with Boris in research projects during my undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney and chose to study honours on the lightsail topic. After finishing honours, I worked as a research assistant in the same group while considering institutions in Australia and abroad for my PhD.
Finding the right institution came from balancing several factors: interest in the PhD topic, good supervisors and life responsibilities. I ultimately decided that the right balance would be to continue working with Boris and my secondary supervisor Martijn, who have both been supportive and understanding mentors while pushing me to work hard and tackle interesting problems.
I can’t stress enough that having figures like Boris and Martijn [Professor Martijn de Sterke] as PhD supervisors is essential to performing well during your PhD while simultaneously maintaining your mental wellbeing and work/life balance.
Jadon presenting at the University of Sydney 3 Minute Thesis Final. Image credit: University of Sydney / Stefanie Zingsheim
50
automatic
LinkMy PhD at the University of Sydney has been, and continues to be, an enjoyable experience.
For me, I’ve found a good balance with the workload and other commitments, which comes from setting clear expectations for myself and with my supervisors. I have been fortunately surrounded by supportive individuals who have kept the PhD manageable: my supervisors, other PhD students and postdocs, support staff at the School of Physics, friends, family and more.
I think that having a good PhD experience highly depends on who you surround yourself with. Having an understanding supervisor is the best start, followed by building camaraderie with fellow PhD students who understand better than anyone the unique hurdles of a PhD.
The most surprising thing about my time as a PhD candidate is that it goes by so quickly! You spend every day thinking so deeply about problems and solutions that time seems to fly and before you know it, you’re in your final year of the PhD thinking that you’re just getting started.
I decided to enter the 3MT competition after some audiences at my previous conference presentations, including my supervisor, thought that my style could suit the competition. The competition was great fun and winning the University of Sydney 3MT Final was a surreal experience. My advice to future competitors is to write the 3MT like a story and present it like a story; take the audience through the important and exciting parts of your work and tailor your visual and vocal delivery to match that story.
I am currently deciding between two options for what to do after I complete my PhD: moving into industry, or finding a postdoctoral position at an international institution. I’m leaning towards the latter to gain some more experience in academia. Regardless of where I end up, I hope to keep thinking about and solving interesting problems!
I can’t stress enough that having figures like Boris and Martijn as PhD supervisors is essential to performing well during your PhD while simultaneously maintaining your mental wellbeing and work/life balance.
Jadon Lin
PhD candidate in the Faculty of Science
Professor Boris Kuhlmey
Dr Boris Kuhlmey is a Professor with the School of Physics at the University of Sydney Faculty of Science and a member of the Sydney Nano Institute.
My research explores how we can push the boundaries of established physical laws to achieve unprecedented control over electromagnetic radiation, from terahertz waves to heat and visible light.
Combining fundamental physics, including Einstein’s theory of relativity, with advanced computational methods, my team works on new optical materials and structures with applications ranging from cooling technologies to laser-propelled spacecraft capable of interstellar travel, like Jadon’s lightsails.
I have supervised and co-supervised 19 PhD students, including five current candidates.
PhD supervision is arguably the best part of being an academic: it combines the thrills of research with the satisfaction of teaching and mentoring some of the brightest students and future researcher leaders.
I’ve been very privileged with my PhD students – I have probably learned as much from them as they have learned from me, it is usually a very symbiotic research relationship.
Jadon’s research project is one of the most fascinating I have had the chance to work on.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mike Ryan awarding Jadon first prize at the University of Sydney 3 Minute Thesis Final. Image credit: University of Sydney / Stefanie Zingsheim
50
automatic
LinkNot only could the ultimate goal of sending probes to the nearest star help answer the profound question of whether we are alone in the universe, the research involved is at the cutting edge of electromagnetism, photonics and special relativity. What more can one ask for?
My tip to PhD candidates is that your supervisors don’t know it all.
Follow their guidance, but look through literature for things they may have missed, and talk to people outside your immediate research group.
We all live in a scientific bubble to some extent, try not to be enclosed in that of your supervisor’s. Also, life/work balance is important!
PhD supervision is arguably the best part of being an academic: it combines the thrills of research with the satisfaction of teaching and mentoring some of the brightest students and future researcher leaders.
Professor Boris Kuhlmey
Faculty of Science
Lead image (L-R): Professor Martijn de Sterke, Jadon Lin, Professor Boris Kuhlmey. Credit: University of Sydney / Stefanie Zingsheim.