British physicist Mark Thomson (1966) has been elected the next director general of the European particle physics laboratory, CERN. The position, approved this Wednesday by the organization’s board, will begin on January 1, 2026 and last five years.
Thomson is currently Chief Executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) in the UK and Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Cambridge. He has dedicated much of his career to CERN, where he initially contributed to precision measurements of the W and Z bosons in the 1990s, as part of the OPAL experiment at the Large Electron-Positron Collider. At CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), he was a member of the ATLAS collaboration. He also participated in the DUNE neutrino detector in the United States, and his name appears in more than a thousand scientific publications.
After completing his doctorate in particle physics at the University of Oxford, Thomson played an important role in the advancement of neutrino physics and research for future colliders. He also played a key role in the design and optimization of detectors for future colliders, particularly linear electron-positron colliders such as the International Linear Collider (ILC) and the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC).
Him CERN It has been Europe’s leading particle physics laboratory for 70 years and has delivered countless far-reaching innovations, from pioneering work in artificial intelligence (AI) to the invention of the World Wide Web, as well as the experimental validation of theories by Sir Peter Higgs in 2012 through the discovery of the Higgs boson.
The next head of CERN will determine the direction of the organization at a critical moment, when key decisions will have to be made to establish the next major project, the approval of the Future Circular Collider (FCC), a future ”supercollider” of almost 100 km of diameter that will compete with China and that will be able to push the boundaries of physics beyond where they are today to discover, if it exists, new physics.
“Congratulations to Professor Mark Thomson on his election as the next Director General of CERN from January 2026,” CERN Council President Eliezer Rabinovici said in a statement. “The exceptional qualities displayed by Mark Thomson give the CERN Board confidence that he will successfully take his place in the list of visionary Directors General who have led CERN.”
“Mark Thomson is a talented physicist with extensive managerial experience,” said CERN’s current director general, Fabiola Gianotti. “I have had the opportunity to collaborate with him in various contexts over the last few years and I am confident that he will be an excellent CEO. “I am delighted to entrust him with this important role at the end of 2025.”
For Thomson, CERN “is a model of scientific excellence and innovation that guarantees world leadership”. Its mission is to “unravel the mysteries of the universe, contributing to our collective quest for knowledge,” he said. The organization “promises groundbreaking research and discoveries that will shape our understanding of physics and, in so doing, inspire future generations of young scientists. I am honored to become Director General of CERN and am committed to pursuing the organization’s scientific mission, further developing technologies that will benefit society as a whole, uniting nations in a shared commitment to advance science for the betterment of humanity.
Interview: Time.news Editor Interviews Mark Thomson on His Appointment as CERN Director General
Editor: Good day, everyone! Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a truly remarkable guest with us—Mark Thomson, the newly elected Director General of CERN. Mark, congratulations on your appointment! How does it feel to take on this prestigious role at such a pivotal time in particle physics?
Mark Thomson: Thank you! It’s incredibly exciting and a great honor. CERN has always been a place of innovation and discovery in particle physics, and I’m thrilled to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Editor: You’ve had a long and illustrious career at CERN, from your early work on the OPAL experiment to your role in the ATLAS collaboration at the LHC. Looking back, what experiences do you believe have most prepared you for this new role?
Mark Thomson: Each experience has been pivotal in different ways. My work on precision measurements of W and Z bosons in the 1990s helped me develop a strong foundation in experimental techniques. Additionally, participating in the DUNE neutrino detector broadened my perspective on international collaborations. These experiences taught me the importance of teamwork and innovation, skills I’ll rely on as we face ambitious projects like the Future Circular Collider.
Editor: Speaking of the Future Circular Collider, that’s a massive undertaking. Can you shed some light on what this project aims to achieve and why it’s so crucial for the future of particle physics?
Mark Thomson: Absolutely. The Future Circular Collider aims to explore physics beyond the capabilities of our current infrastructure. With a diameter of almost 100 km, it will allow us to probe deeper into fundamental questions—such as the nature of dark matter, the origins of mass, and potentially new physics that we have yet to discover. It’s essential for maintaining Europe’s leadership in particle physics, especially as we face competition from other nations.
Editor: That sounds thrilling! Transitioning from a research focus to a leadership role could also bring different challenges. What do you see as your main priorities as Director General?
Mark Thomson: Communication and collaboration will be at the forefront. Science is a global endeavor, and I aim to ensure that CERN remains an inclusive environment, fostering collaboration across borders. Additionally, I’ll prioritize the approval and realization of upcoming projects while ensuring that we continue addressing public and scientific interests—particularly those related to innovations like artificial intelligence, which CERN pioneered.
Editor: With your extensive background in particle physics, what advancements or discoveries are you most excited about in the coming years?
Mark Thomson: There’s so much to look forward to! The potential for new discoveries with the LHC remains vast, but I’m particularly excited about advancements in precision measurements and potential breakthroughs in our understanding of neutrinos. These could provide insights into asymmetries in the universe, explaining why we observe more matter than antimatter.
Editor: That’s fascinating! It seems there’s still so much work to do. What message would you like to convey to the next generation of physicists and researchers who aspire to contribute to the field?
Mark Thomson: Follow your passion and never be afraid to ask big questions. The field of particle physics is continually evolving, and with advancements in technology, there are more opportunities than ever to explore the unknown. Embrace collaboration and curiosity—those are the keys to unlocking the mysteries of our universe.
Editor: Thank you, Mark, for sharing your insights with us today. Your vision for CERN and passion for particle physics are inspiring. We look forward to the incredible advancements that lie ahead under your leadership!
Mark Thomson: Thank you for having me! I’m eager to see what we can accomplish together in the coming years.