Jens Dilling has been named director of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories.
The Jefferson Lab said Wednesday Dilling will succeed Kimberly Sawyer, effective June 30.
Who Is Jens Dilling?
The new Jefferson Lab director is a renowned physicist with over two decades of scientific leadership and management experience. He is known for his work in nuclear physics, isotope science and large-scale facility development.
Dilling will join Jefferson Lab after working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, or ORNL, for over three years. He most recently served as the associate laboratory director for neutron sciences, overseeing the High Flux Isotope Reactor and the Spallation Neutron Source, or SNS, research portfolios. He was also the director of institutional strategic planning for nearly four years. In this capacity, Dilling led the laboratory’s strategic positioning in nuclear, energy, physical and neutron sciences, and biological and environmental systems.
During his ORNL tenure, Dilling spearheaded advancements in quantum information and materials sciences. He also oversaw the development of the science drivers for the SNS Second Target Station, a $2 billion DOE project.
Dilling also worked at TRIUMF, Canada’s National Laboratory for Accelerator Sciences, where he led various programs including nuclear physics, particle physics, molecular science, material science and isotope science.
“Jens is an outstanding scientist and leader whose vision and experience make him the ideal person to guide Jefferson Lab into the future,” said Sean Hearne, president and CEO of the Southeastern Universities Research Association. “We are excited to welcome Jens and look forward to him leading the next chapter of innovation and impact.”
