For Jed Bian, competing in the International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT) was more than just a test of scientific knowledge – it was a transformative experience that shaped his confidence, communication skills, and career trajectory. Representing New Zealand in 2008 alongside Donald White, Jed and his team secured a gold medal, a triumph that cemented his passion for problem-solving and exploration.
Jed’s journey to IYPT began with a strong foundation in academic competitions. A student at Auckland Grammar, he had represented New Zealand three times in the International Mathematics Olympiad. Despite never securing a medal, these experiences laid the groundwork for his scientific and analytical mindset. However, by 2008, Jed realised that pure mathematics was no longer bringing him the same excitement. He saw physics – and the IYPT- as a fresh challenge, one that combined rigorous scientific inquiry with dynamic teamwork and debate.
“Unlike the Olympiad, where the competition consists of two 4.5-hour exams, IYPT allowed us to design and carry out experiments to test our hypotheses. The problem-solving process was much more open-ended,” he recalls. “That freedom to experiment was incredible.”
One of the most significant personal takeaways from IYPT was the development of his communication skills. Having immigrated to New Zealand at the age of 12, Jed initially found English challenging and was hesitant to speak publicly. However, the tournament’s structure – with half of the competition relying on pre-prepared presentations – allowed him to build confidence in public speaking. “By the time I reached the world finals, I returned home a much more self-assured person,” he says. “I realised I wasn’t as introverted as I had thought – language had just been a barrier.”
After high school, Jed pursued a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Computer Systems at The University of Auckland. His career path led him through various roles in engineering, starting as a Student Signal Processing Engineer at Aviat Networks in 2010. Over the years, he worked on FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) development and hardware engineering at companies such as Navico and IMC Trading. Today, at Citadel Securities, Jed applies his analytical and modelling expertise in the finance sector, where his physics background continues to play a crucial role.
“In finance, we analyse vast amounts of trading data. When there’s an anomaly in the data, I get excited – just like in physics, anomalies often lead to the biggest discoveries,” he explains. “Some of the most valuable insights come from investigating those unexpected results.”
Jed also finds that his physics training influences his personal life, particularly in parenting his three-year-old daughter. “Sometimes I take an experimental approach – if one method doesn’t work, I try another. I think this horrifies my wife, but I’ve had some successes,” he laughs.
For students considering a career in STEM, Jed emphasises the importance of flexibility. “STEM skills are incredibly transferable. Just because you start in one field doesn’t mean you’ll end up there. Physics and mathematics train you to think analytically and model complex systems – skills that are valuable everywhere, from engineering to marketing.”
Reflecting on his journey, Jed credits IYPT with helping him discover his strengths and shape his career path. “It wasn’t just about physics- it was about problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Those skills have stayed with me in every role I’ve taken on.”
His advice to future competitors? “Embrace the challenges, collaborate with your team, and don’t be afraid to explore the unknown. The problem-solving mindset you develop will take you far – whether in science, business, or beyond.” – as told to Kate Palmer
Thanks to our volunteer writer, Kate Palmer for composing Jed’s profile for the Trust.