Koch was appointed as the Director of the newly founded Royal Prussian Institute for Infectious Diseases in Berlin (later renamed the Robert Koch Institute). This provided him with a state-of-the-art research facility and a team of scientists dedicated to studying infectious diseases.

During his tenure as director, Koch oversaw a wide range of research projects on infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, cholera, typhoid fever, and malaria. He also trained numerous scientists who went on to become leaders in the field of bacteriology.

Koch's leadership and research at the Institute for Infectious Diseases played a crucial role in shaping the field of bacteriology. The Institute became a leading center for research and training in infectious diseases, attracting scientists from around the world. Koch's methods and principles became standard practice in bacteriological research.