Jean-Claude Worms

Dr. Jean-Claude Worms is Chief Executive of the European Science Foundation (ESF) where he leads a dedicated team of science professionals committed to the success of the European Research Area.

In his 28 year career to date, Jean-Claude has contributed at the highest levels of European science and internationally, with a deep understanding of the needs and priorities of the science community, policy makers, organizations and institutions.

He has been involved in some of the most important science related developments in Europe over the decades. His experience ranges from research management and strategic planning, to assessing the programmatic aspects of agencies and research councils, co-ordinating policy and strategy at national and international level, and working with officials, executives and scientific interest groups worldwide.

Jean-Claude is involved in European Space Agency high-level science advisory structures and has participated with an observer status to ESA’s Ministerial Conferences since 1999. He is also a member of the European Commission Space Advisory Group and he co-chairs the Science Advisory Group of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG).

He holds a PhD in physics (astronomy and space science) from the University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris) and has over fifteen years of research experience in international space research projects.

Jean Claude joined ESF in 1994, contributing strongly to the growth and development of the organisation in a career path which led to his appointment as CEO in 2015.

Since 2011, he has been instrumental in planning and implementing the change management programme for the European Science Foundation. This has seen the successful transformation of ESF into an expert sciences services organisation, serving the European Research Area.