Organizationally, PTB is subdivided into divisions, departments and working groups. In addition, it is subdivided into "subject areas" which cover special fields of work. They encompass the whole spectrum of PTB, i.e. sovereign tasks and services as well as research and development. The subdivision into subject areas orients itself on the internationally agreed scheme which is also reflected in the structures of the Meter Convention, i.e. the Comités Consultatifs of the CIPM, or in the Technical Committees of EURAMET e. V.
The four complementary specialized topics – "Metrology for Medicine", "Mathematics and Information Technology", "Physical Safety Engineering and Explosion Protection" and "Nanometrology" – take account of additional fields of work of PTB which are not reflected in the scheme mentioned.
The subdivision into subject areas serves to place the focus on special subjects and to allocate funds correspondingly, and also to promote inter-departmental work.
PTB's subject areas
Subject area 1: Acoustics, ultrasound, acceleration
Subject area2: Fluid flow
Subject area 3: Electricity and magnetism
Subject area 4: Ionizing radiation
Subject area 5: Length, dimensional metrology
Subject area 6: Mass and derived quantities
Subject area 7: Metrology in chemistry and properties of substances
Subject area 8: Metrology for medicine
Subject area 9: Photometry and radiometry
Subject area 10: Thermometry
Subject area 11: Time and frequency
Subject area 12: Mathematics and metrological information technology
Subject area 13: Physical safety engineering and explosion protection
Subject area14: Nanometrology