He become the first director of the Steklov Institute in 1934, moving to Moscow when the Academy moved the Institute there, and continuing to hold the directorship until his death.
Siya ang naging unang direktor ng Steklov Institute in 1934, lumipat sa Moscow kapag ang Academy inilipat ang Institute doon, at patuloy na humawak ng patnugot hanggang sa kanyang kamatayan.