The Alfred Wegener Institute Foundation for Polar and Marine Research has four Sections: Climate System, Pelagic Ecosystems, Benthic Ecosystems and Geosystem. ‘Deep Sea Research and AUV’, ‘Solar UV radiation’ and the ‘Carbon group’ are multidisciplinary workgroups. These are supported by departments for Administration, Logistics, Public Relations, Library and a Computer Centre.
The Institute has had a Research unit in Potsdam. The work of the latter is focused primarily on the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere, as well as the geology and geochemistry of ice margins.