Jens Dilling

Bio

Jens Dilling, an experimental nuclear physicist and leader in the field of precision experiments for fundamental and applied nuclear physics, brings extensive experience to his role overseeing the neutron scattering and user research programs at the Spallation Neutron Source and High Flux Isotope Reactor.

He joined ORNL in 2021 as the Director of Institutional Strategic Planning. In this role, he facilitated and oversaw the strategic positioning of the laboratory for science and technologies in the fields of nuclear, energy, and physical sciences, neutron sciences, biological and environmental systems, and nuclear security. Jens is also responsible for the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) portfolio of the lab.

His undergraduate degree and PhD are from the University of Heidelberg in Germany in Atomic and Nuclear Physics. During his studies he carried out research at the Helmholtz Center GSI Darmstadt and the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN). Prior to coming to ORNL, he spent 20 years in various positions at Canada’s National Laboratory for Accelerator Sciences, TRIUMF, where he oversaw the science and user programs in nuclear and particle physics as well as molecular and material sciences. A Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), he received the APS Pipkin Award, the Vogt-Medal of the Canadian Association of Physicists, and the Rutherford Medal of the Royal Society of Canada. Jens has a joint position as Research Professor with Duke University.