23 June 2026
The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble has announced its new leadership team. From October 2026, Regine Willumeit-Römer will take over as Director of the Institute. Ken Andersen and Jacques Jestin will continue to serve as Deputy Directors.
ILL is one of the world's leading centres for neutron science. The facility is funded and operated by France, Germany and the United Kingdom in partnership with other European member countries. Germany is represented by Forschungszentrum Jülich. The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) has operated its own instrument at ILL for many years and contributes to several other instruments at the facility.
Experienced Scientist at the Helm of the ILL
Regine Willumeit-Römer currently heads the Institute of Metallic Biomaterials at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon and is Professor at Kiel University. She earned her PhD in physics with research on the structural characterisation of ribosomes using neutron scattering. For more than two decades, her work has focused on biomaterials research, and she most recently served as Acting Scientific Director of Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon.
Ken Andersen, who has served as ILL Director since October 2023, will assume the role of Deputy Director for Science. Jacques Jestin will remain Deputy Director and will additionally resume leadership of the Projects and Techniques Division.
Cutting-Edge Neutron Research
For almost 60 years, ILL has enabled world-class research through its high-flux reactor and more than 40 scientific instruments, supporting advances in fields such as health, energy, the environment, quantum materials and information technologies.
"I am thrilled to join the ILL and contribute to one of the world's most outstanding scientific facilities, where cutting-edge neutron research, international collaboration, and scientific excellence come together to address some of the most important challenges in science and society,"said Regine Willumeit-Römer.
