The years of scientific (including organizational) activity of I. V. Kurchatov at the Physicotechnical Institute marked an important period in his development. This period is examined here, with particular attention paid to his studies on the electrical properties of solids (dielectrics, semiconductors, and ferroelectrics) and in nuclear physics (neutrons, nuclear isomerism, the cyclotron). Certain questions pertaining to Kurchatov's pedagogical activities are elucidated. A substantial part of the material presented is based on archival documents.