Thesis Work - Seeing Beneath the Surface: A Data Fusion Approach to Bathymetric Mapping

Vattenfall is a leading European energy company serving approximately 12 million customers and employing around 21,000 people. We believe there is a way to build a future where everyone can choose fossil-free ways to move, make, and live. 

Are you a student looking to apply your knowledge to real-world solutions that support the energy transition? With us, you will have the opportunity to complete your thesis project close to the business, working alongside experienced specialists and tackling challenges where your ideas and perspectives can make a real difference.

About the Thesis Work

The goal of this thesis is to develop a data fusion approach that combines satellite imagery, drone imagery/photogrammetry and ROV sonar measurements to produce accurate, high-resolution bathymetric maps for a shallow water area that is subjected to water regulation for hydropower generation by Vattenfall.

The project will investigate how machine learning / deep learning methods can be used to align, calibrate and merge these heterogeneous, multi-resolution data sources into a single consistent depth model, using the sparse but accurate ROV measurements to correct and validate the wide-area satellite- and drone-derived depth estimates. A further purpose of the thesis is to combine the fused bathymetry with above-water elevation and terrain data to build a full 3D reconstruction of the basin, which will be used to estimate the water volume of the area.

The following steps are foreseen to execute the project:

• Literature review of satellite-derived bathymetry, drone-based photogrammetry/LiDAR and ROV sonar surveying methods, and existing data fusion techniques.
• Data acquisition and collection of satellite, drone and ROV data for the area of interest.
• Pre-process and co-register the multi-source data (satellite, drone, ROV) to a common spatial and depth reference.
• Develop and apply a data fusion model (e.g. machine learning / deep learning based) to combine the multi-source bathymetric data into a unified depth map.
• Perform elevation and terrain analysis and build a 3D reconstruction of the basin (bathymetry + surrounding terrain) to estimate the water volume.
• Evaluate and validate the fused bathymetry model performance against reference/ground-truth measurements. Several field campaigns will be carried out during the thesis period to collect validation data.

The thesis assignment is suitable for 1 student 

We are looking for a student who are about to complete their academic studies and are eager to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting through a thesis project at Vattenfall. You are someone who shares our values and identifies with our principles: Active, Open, Positive and Safety. 

• Enrolled in an MSc programme in Geomatics, Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Applied Physics, Environmental or Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Swedish language skills are considered an advantage.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Experience with data analysis and relevant tools such as NumPy, PyTorch, TensorFlow, GDAL, Rasterio, or GIS software.
• Knowledge of, or a strong interest in, remote sensing, image processing, machine learning, and deep learning.
• Basic understanding of GIS principles and geospatial data formats, including raster data, point clouds, and coordinate systems.
• Interest in applying satellite-based data to environmental analysis and biodiversity-related challenges.
• Experience working with satellite imagery, drone data, or sonar/acoustic survey data is considered an advantage.
• Ability to work independently, structure and document work systematically, and communicate results effectively.

• Start date: 2027-04-01 or by agreement.
• Duration of the thesis work– 6 months
• Location: Solna/ Älvkarleby.
• Application – Submit a single file containing your CV and a copy of your academic transcripts. Please note that only one file can be uploaded with your application, so it is important that all required information is combined into the same document.
• Application deadline: 2026-10-31.
• Contact person and supervisor at Vattenfall: Maidul Choudhury, ([email protected]) & Moshiour Rahaman ([email protected])

Diversity and Inclusion – In Everything We Do 

At Vattenfall, we value being Active, Positive, Open, and Safety-conscious. We are looking for employees who share our vision and can contribute to strengthening our company culture. We believe that diversity helps build a more successful and attractive company, and we strive to be role models in diversity and inclusion. Vattenfall actively works to ensure that all employees have equal opportunities and rights, regardless of age, ethnic or cultural background, gender identity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or disability. Read more about how we work with diversity and inclusion here. 

Vattenfall is part of Sweden’s critical infrastructure, and many of our positions are therefore classified from a security perspective. If this position is security-classified, a security screening will be conducted prior to employment in accordance with the Swedish Security Protection Act.