Paul K. Kearns has served as director of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory since 2017. Argonne is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research center with a $1.1 billion diversified research portfolio and nearly 4,000 employees, approximately 2,000 visiting researchers, and more than 7,000 facility users in average year. Under his leadership and the stewardship of the DOE Office of Science, the laboratory drives advancements in fundamental science, energy solutions, and high-performance computing that are key to U.S. economic and national security. Kearns sets the laboratory’s strategic vision to deliver pivotal discoveries, realize dynamic collaborations, and provide powerful scientific tools and facilities. He also establishes policies that support its world-class community of talent in achieving transformative innovations and operational excellence.
A biologist and accomplished steward of diverse scientific resources, Kearns has managed complex research and development enterprises for over 30 years, enabling them to achieve ambitious goals in energy, environment, and national security. As Argonne laboratory director, Kearns oversees six DOE user facilities, six multi-institution collaborations, and many research programs that are critical to Argonne’s mission of accelerating science and technology to drive U.S. prosperity and security. During his tenure, Argonne upgraded the Advanced Photon Source and launched one of the fastest exascale computers in the world at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, both of which are vital to maintaining U.S. leadership in technology and the progress of science. 

As Argonne chief operations officer from 2010 to 2017, Kearns directed over 900 staff providing mission support services in financial management, human resources, safety performance, business systems, technology commercialization, and facilities management. Kearns also guided the establishment of an independent energy storage start-up and directed construction of cutting-edge research laboratories.

Kearns was an executive with Battelle Global Laboratory Operations for five years prior to joining Argonne in 2010. Kearns helped establish a groundbreaking program to deploy micro-grids and support cyber security technologies for the U.S. military. He worked with the University of Manchester, the United Kingdom’s National Nuclear Laboratory, and the United Kingdom Technical Strategy Board to define a research and development investment strategy in nuclear energy. As president and managing director of Battelle-Italia, Kearns implemented an integrated business plan for the Battelle Memorial Institute subsidiary, working with the government of Italy and industry to address energy, security, and environmental challenges.

Kearns’ stewardship of DOE resources includes accomplished tenures with the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) between 1995 and 2005. He helped develop technical and contracting strategies for high-level radioactive waste processing by the Hanford Tank Waste Remediation System and managed an award-winning PNNL staff conducting R&D activities for public and private sector clients in chemical, thermal, electrochemical, and radiochemical processing. At INEEL, Kearns oversaw the laboratory’s program in energy, environment, and national security, including the Advanced Test Reactor and Specific Manufacturing Capability Tank Armor Production Facility.

Kearns is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He also served as chair of the DOE National Laboratory Directors’ Council for two terms and is currently a member of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness’ National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers. 

Kearns has a doctorate and a master’s degree in bionucleonics and a bachelor’s degree in natural resources and environmental sciences, all from Purdue University, which honored him with the John E. Christian Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2022. He and his wife, Lynn Kearns, have three children and five grandchildren.