It all started with a Bachelor’s in Geology, back in his home country India, after which Nikhil launched a career as Data Analyst in the IT industry. "Quickly, I moved into the field of geo-information science and volunteered to work on remote sensing projects in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS)." That was when he first came to know about the Faculty of ITC at the University of Twente. "Thanks to the partnerships, I learned more about their work in remote sensing and earth observation. It caught my interest and eventually led me to pursue the Master’s in Geo-Information Science & Earth Observation."
Integrity of civil infrastructure
"In my Master’s, I specialised in earth observation using radar satellite data. My thesis is actually a great example of how advanced satellite technology can be applied to monitor integrity of civil infrastructure. My thesis focused on the railway tracks of the Betuweroute (Betuwe Freight Corridor), which connects the port of Rotterdam to Central Europe (Munich)."
The main idea of his thesis was to use satellite radar images to detect minute changes in ground surface movement over period of time, Nikhil explains. Radar satellites can measure the earth surface movement very precisely at millimetric level. "These changes are detected by processing historical satellite radar images of the same area taken at different timestamp. For example, movements of natural phenomena such as permafrost - which is dominant in the Netherlands due to peat soil - can be monitored. The pattern of earth surface movement and linear subsidence has a cascading effect on railway tracks. These movements could be detected precisely as pre-mitigative measure to ensure railways infrastructure is fit to operate. Then I used so-called LIDAR data to validate ‘ground truth’. In other words: to check whether the movements I measured were real and not just noise or artefacts."
Cost-effective
This method has some huge advantages, Nikhil says. "First of all, monitoring can be done much more cost-effectively this way, as you don’t need to install sensors along every kilometre of track. Second of all, the goal of my research was to use open source technologies and data. This way, the tools and methods could be easily shared and replicated for other civil infrastructures, making it more practical for monitoring infrastructure over large geographical regions and for communities that don’t have access to expensive equipment."
Nikhil emphasises that even though the data was highly accurate, applying it requires some nuance. "It’s not just about the numbers," he says. "My work sits at the intersection of computer science and mechanical engineering, so the outputs are most useful for people working on the ground. Maintenance teams can use this information to prioritise where to focus, rather than inspecting an entire 300-kilometre track. It helps them act faster and more efficiently, even if it doesn’t replace traditional methods entirely."
Publication
His master’s thesis gained recognition through a publication in MDPI journal, funded by the University of Twente, highlighting the relevance of his work. This also paved the way for him to continue at the University of Twente as a research assistant.
After gaining hands-on experience as a research assistant and building a strong foundation in geospatial analysis and infrastructure monitoring, Nikhil was drawn to the industry applications of his work. "The field is quite niche, which makes opportunities rare, but at the same time, expertise here is also unique and highly valued." His specialised knowledge gave him a head start in the job market and opened doors to his current role as Project Manager and GIS Consultant at ROSEN.
Underground pipelines
At ROSEN, Nikhil focuses on the monitoring of pipelines, which often stretch across remote or difficult-to-access areas. To outsiders, it might sound strange: monitoring pipelines with satellite data. After all, the infrastructure itself is buried underground. Nikhil understands that it might seem counterintuitive to people. "It’s about measuring changes in the surface and environment around the pipeline, not the pipeline itself. By measuring shifts in elevation, ground subsidence, or deformations along the pipeline’s path, these methods highlight areas at risk. This approach enables maintenance teams to focus inspections on specific hotspots rather than surveying hundreds of kilometers of pipeline, making monitoring more efficient and proactive."
Looking back on his journey so far, Nikhil is happy with the career path he chose. "A solid technical foundation is important, but in the end, if you really want to stand out in the job market, it’s good to build specialised knowledge in a unique and evolving field. I feel like my Master’s in Geo-Information Science & Earth Observation allowed me to develop a unique skill set that’s both relevant and in demand."
