He eventually became Keeper of the Natural History Division. Nichols took part in the Lord Bandon dredging expedition of 1886 with Haddon, sponsored by the Royal Irish Academy, and in the biological surveys of Lambay, Clare Island and Malahide.
He eventually assumed the role of Custodian of the Natural History Division. Nichols participated in the Lord Bandon dredging expedition of 1886 alongside Haddon, sponsored by the Royal Irish Academy, and was involved in the biological surveys of Lambay, Clare Island, and Malahide.