Coastal Engineering – Investigating Barrier Dynamics using a Large Scale Wave Flume

Career overview

Professor Nicole Metje qualified with a Dipl. Ing. in Civil Engineering from Hannover University in Germany in 1998, focusing on fluid mechanics and tunnelling. She pursued a PhD in Sediment Suspension under Water Waves at the University of Birmingham, completing it in 2001. Following her doctoral studies, she began her academic career as a Research Fellow in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. After six months, she transitioned to the School of Civil Engineering as a Senior Research Fellow, where she conducted research on optical fibre sensing technologies for tunnel deformation assessment. In 2005, she was appointed as the Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow, coordinating research activities across multiple projects, including a network-funded research grant titled Mapping the Underworld. In 2007, she received a Birmingham Research Fellowship, which led to her lectureship in geotechnical engineering in 2010. By 2016, she had advanced to the position of Reader in Infrastructure Monitoring. Professor Metje''s research portfolio is extensive, encompassing projects related to quantum technology, infrastructure monitoring, and geotechnical engineering. She is an international leader in the application of sensors for assessing and monitoring buried infrastructure, advocating for the use of quantum sensors in various applications, including the detection of buried features and gas detection. Her research vision aims to enhance understanding of geophysical soil properties and develop innovative sensor applications to transform perceptions of buried infrastructure. Throughout her career, she has published numerous journal and conference papers and co-authored a book on tunnel construction for engineering students. She is frequently invited to speak on topics related to underground space and utility detection, reflecting her national and international reputation. Professor Metje is actively involved in various professional committees and advisory boards, contributing to the advancement of standards and practices in her field.

Research interests

Professor Nicole Metje''s research focuses on the development and application of sensors for buried infrastructure assessment and monitoring. She is particularly interested in the application of quantum sensors for detecting buried features such as tunnels, mineshafts, utilities, and aquifers. Her research vision aims to enhance the understanding of geophysical soil properties and to develop novel sensors that transform the perception of ground and buried infrastructure from a hazard to a resource. Professor Metje has a significant portfolio of research projects, including Mapping the Underworld, Assessing the Underworld, and various initiatives involving quantum technology for infrastructure monitoring. Her work encompasses the conductivity and permittivity properties of soils, linking these to geotechnical properties, and developing long-term monitoring stations. Additionally, she leads research on novel sensor applications and designs ultra-low power sensors for real-time monitoring in challenging environments. Professor Metje''s multidisciplinary approach is evident in her collaborations across various subject disciplines, contributing to her national and international reputation in the field.