Stephen Lin Er Chow, a 27-year-old physicist whose innovative work on high-temperature superconductors has captured global attention, has made headlines by relocating from Singapore's National University of Singapore (NUS) to Zhejiang University in China. This move marks a significant moment for Singapore's higher education landscape, highlighting the fierce global competition for top scientific talent in cutting-edge fields like materials science and quantum physics. Lin's departure comes shortly after his team's breakthrough in developing a copper-free superconducting oxide, a development that challenges decades-old paradigms in superconductivity research.
The news underscores ongoing discussions about talent retention in Singapore's universities, where institutions like NUS have invested heavily in fostering homegrown researchers. As China ramps up its recruitment through prestigious programs, Singapore faces the challenge of keeping its brightest minds amid attractive offers from abroad.
Stephen Lin Er Chow: From NUS PhD Prodigy to International Star
Born and raised in Singapore with ancestral ties to China, Stephen Lin Er Chow demonstrated exceptional promise early in his academic career. He completed his PhD at NUS's Department of Physics under the supervision of Provost's Chair Professor Ariando, becoming the youngest recipient of the Best Graduate Researcher Award in 2022 at just 24 years old. Graduating at 26, he seamlessly transitioned into a research fellow position at NUS, where he led efforts in the university's superconductivity lab.
Lin's trajectory exemplifies Singapore's success in nurturing talent through rigorous PhD programs and merit-based awards. NUS, consistently ranked among Asia's top universities, provided him with state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative opportunities with international partners. His rapid rise reflects the structured pathway from undergraduate studies through presidential fellowships, which have propelled many Singaporean scientists to prominence.
The Groundbreaking Superconductor Discovery
Superconductors are materials that conduct electricity with zero resistance, typically requiring extremely low temperatures near absolute zero. High-temperature superconductors (HTS), operating above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77 Kelvin or -196°C), promise revolutionary applications in power grids, magnetic levitation trains, and quantum computing. For over three decades, copper-based oxides or cuprates dominated HTS research, but their complexity limited scalability.
Lin and his team shattered a 40-year barrier by designing and synthesizing a copper-free superconducting oxide based on samarium nickelate (SmNiO2), hole-doped to achieve bulk superconductivity near 40 Kelvin at ambient pressure. This nickelate family represents a new paradigm, potentially simpler to manufacture and integrate into devices. The material's performance was verified through advanced techniques like muon spin rotation and magnetic susceptibility measurements, confirming zero-resistance states and Meissner effect—where superconductors expel magnetic fields.
This achievement, detailed in a high-impact publication, was the first top-tier paper from NUS's superconductivity lab since its inception two decades ago. It positions Singapore as a player in the global race for practical HTS, with implications for energy-efficient technologies amid rising demands for sustainable power systems.
NUS Physics Department: A Hub for Superconductivity Innovation
The NUS Department of Physics, part of the Faculty of Science, has long been a cornerstone of Singapore's research ecosystem. Professor Ariando's group specializes in strongly correlated electron systems, oxide interfaces, and unconventional superconductors. Their work bridges theory and experiment, leveraging Singapore's advanced cleanroom facilities and partnerships with A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research).
Lin's contribution built on years of foundational research into infinite-layer nickelates, thin-film epitaxy, and pressure-induced phases. The lab's success stems from interdisciplinary approaches, combining materials synthesis via molecular beam epitaxy with computational modeling. This environment enabled Lin to mentor juniors and secure grants, underscoring NUS's role in training the next generation of physicists.
However, such breakthroughs also spotlight the need for sustained funding. Singapore allocates significant resources to physics research through the National Research Foundation, but global competition intensifies pressure on universities to deliver impact.
Relocating to Zhejiang University: The ZJU 100 Young Professors Program
Zhejiang University (ZJU), one of China's C9 League elite institutions, launched the "100 Young Professors" program in 2015 to attract under-40 global talents. Selected candidates receive principal investigator status, doctoral supervision rights, startup funding up to 3 million RMB (about SGD 550,000), housing subsidies, and spousal employment support. Lin joined as a full-time ZJU 100 Young Professor in Hangzhou, leading a new group focused on advanced materials.
Hangzhou's appeal—blending tech hubs like Alibaba's campus with cultural gems like West Lake—aligns with Lin's personal preferences. His wife's Chinese heritage and family connections further eased the transition. ZJU's physics department boasts world-class infrastructure, including synchrotron facilities nearby, accelerating research pace.
This program mirrors China's broader strategy, including the Youth Thousand Talents Plan, which has repatriated thousands of overseas-trained scientists, bolstering fields like quantum tech and AI.
Photo by Bozhin Karaivanov on Unsplash
Personal Motivations Behind the Move
In interviews, Lin expressed enthusiasm for Hangzhou's lifestyle, citing its natural beauty and dynamic research community as key factors. Beyond career, familial roots played a role; his grandfather's Chinese descent fostered cultural affinity. Singapore's high cost of living and competitive environment, while fostering excellence, may have prompted seeking fresh opportunities.
Yet, Lin emphasized continued collaboration with NUS colleagues, suggesting his departure is not a complete severance. Such personal choices highlight how quality of life influences talent mobility in academia.
Singapore's Brain Drain Challenge in Higher Education
Singapore has long grappled with retaining top researchers amid overtures from China, the US, and Europe. Cases like materials scientist Seeram Ramakrishna's move to Tsinghua University illustrate the trend. In physics and engineering, ethnic Chinese talents often face pull from homeland incentives.
- China's programs offer generous funding (up to USD 1.5 million startup) and rapid promotions.
- Singapore counters with competitive salaries (senior researchers earn SGD 200,000+ annually) but lags in sheer scale.
- Recent data shows 10-15% of NUS PhD grads relocate abroad within five years, though most return.
This phenomenon raises questions about return on investment for Singapore's SGD 20 billion annual R&D spend, concentrated in universities like NUS and NTU.
Singapore's Strategies to Retain and Attract Talent
To combat brain drain, Singapore employs multifaceted approaches:
| Initiative | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| President's Science and Technology Awards | Prestigious honors with SGD 500,000 grants | Recognizes mid-career stars like NUS's Cheng-Wei Qiu |
| A*STAR Scholarships | Full funding for PhDs, bonds for service | Pipelines 1,000+ talents yearly |
| NUS Chair Professorships | Tenure-track fast-ramps, housing perks | Retains 80% early-career faculty |
| Global Talent Visa | Fast-tracks top researchers | Boosts international hires by 25% |
Recent enhancements include SkillsFuture credits for lifelong learning and RIE2025 plan's SGD 25 billion injection. Universities like NUS offer remote work flexibility and family support to compete.
Experts advocate hybrid models, allowing adjunct roles post-relocation, as seen in some US-China cases.
Global Race for Superconductor Supremacy and Singapore's Role
HTS research drives innovation in fusion energy, MRI machines, and lossless grids. China's investments—USD 10 billion in quantum materials—position ZJU at the forefront. Singapore, via Centre for Quantum Technologies, aims for niche leadership in applied physics.
Lin's move could foster cross-border collaborations, benefiting both ecosystems. NUS plans to expand its nickelate program, recruiting replacements through global searches.
NUS's official announcement on the breakthrough details ongoing projects.Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Outlook
Prof Ariando praised Lin's contributions, affirming NUS's pipeline strength. Singapore's Education Minister highlighted retention via meritocracy. Peers note China's scale enables bolder experiments.
Looking ahead, Singapore universities eye AI-integrated materials discovery to stay competitive. With 50,000 researchers needed by 2030, policies emphasize work-life balance and innovation hubs.
Lin's journey inspires young Singaporeans: excellence opens global doors, but homegrown impact remains vital.
Photo by J. Weisner on Unsplash
Lessons for Aspiring Researchers in Singapore
- Pursue interdisciplinary PhDs at NUS/NTU for broad skills.
- Leverage A*STAR internships for industry exposure.
- Build international networks via conferences.
- Balance personal growth with national service bonds.
Singapore's higher education remains a launchpad; many return as professors, enriching the ecosystem.