Jens Dilling Appointed Jefferson Lab's Next Director

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility — commonly referred to as Jefferson Lab — has announced Jens Dilling, Research Professor in the Department of Physics as its new director, effective June 30. 
 
As a highly regarded physicist and national lab leader, Dilling brings more than 20 years of experience advancing science across the DOE. Most recently, Dilling was the associate laboratory director for neutron sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where he led efforts to improve capabilities in quantum information science and material sciences, including the development of the science drivers for the SNS Second Target Station — a new $2 billion DOE project. 

In a statement to press, Dilling shared that he is honored to join Jefferson Lab at such an exciting time. “The lab has an extraordinary legacy in nuclear physics and accelerator science, and I look forward to working with its exceptional staff to advance discovery, innovation and excellence in operations in service of the nation’s scientific mission.” 

The Jefferson Lab is one of 17 DOE national laboratories and one of the major user facilities of the DOE Nuclear Physics Program. In 2023 it was selected as the Hub Director for the High-Performance Data Facility and is also home to the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF), which supports the research of more than 1,650 scientists worldwide. 

“The CEBAF at Jefferson Lab is world-leading and unique, at the forefront of discovery science to uncover the structure of the visible matter in the universe,” said Haiyan Gao, Henry W. Newson Distinguished Professor of Physics. 

“Jefferson Lab is also in a partnership with the Brookhaven National Laboratory in building the electron-Ion Collider, the only new major advanced collider to be built in the world in the next decade,” Gao continued. “This is a critical moment for the lab as it is going through an important transition from a single program laboratory to multi-program.”  

Dilling holds a doctorate in physics from the University of Heidelberg in Germany and is a fellow of the American Physical Society, as well as a DOE Oppenheimer Leadership Fellow. He has also been involved with numerous international advisory boards and scientific committees. 

“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 J. Hearne, president and CEO of the Southeastern Universities Research Association and chairman of the Jefferson Science Associates, LLC (JSA) Board of Directors. “We are excited to welcome Jens and look forward to him leading the next chapter of innovation and impact.” 

Read the Jefferson Lab’s official announcement.