The NIC research groups work on selected fields in physics and other natural sciences towards supercomputer oriented research and development. At present, the following groups exist:

• Research Group "Elementary Particle Physics" at DESY Zeuthen
  Head (since July 2009): Dr. Rainer Sommer
  
• Research Group "QCD-Thermodynamics" at GSI Darmstadt
  Temporary Head (since July 2009): Prof. Dr. Frithjof Karsch
  
• Research Group "Computational Materials Physics" at Forschungszentrum Jülich
  Head (since April 2011): Prof. Dr. Martin Müser
  

Former research groups

• Research Group "Computational Biology and Biophysics" in Jülich
  July 2005 - June 2008
  Head: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hansmann
  
• Research Group "Elementary Particle Physics"
  2007 - 2009
  Head: Prof. Dr. Zoltán Fodor
  
• Research Group "Elementary Particle Physics" at DESY-Zeuthen
  2000 - 2006
  Head: Dr. Karl Jansen
  
• Research Group "Complex Systems" in Jülich
  September 1996 - July 2005
  Head: Prof. Dr. Peter Grassberger