Nucleate and MilliporeSigma Expand Future Leaders Fellowship to Equip Emerging Scientists for Careers Beyond the Bench
BOSTON, MA — June 29, 2026 — Nucleate today announced the launch of the second cohort of the MilliporeSigma x Nucleate Future Leaders Fellowship, a 12-week experiential sales associate program designed to introduce graduate students to careers in scientific sales, commercial strategy, and business development within the life sciences industry.
Building on a successful inaugural cohort, the Fellowship equips emerging scientific leaders with hands-on exposure to the commercial side of biotechnology through direct sales experience alongside MilliporeSigma sales representatives serving academic institutions across North America. By pairing scientific trainees with experienced commercial professionals, the program helps participants better understand how scientific expertise can translate into customer-facing careers that support researchers, enable discovery, and accelerate innovation.
A leading global supplier of products, services, and solutions for research, biotechnology development, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, MilliporeSigma supports scientists and organizations working to solve some of the world’s most pressing scientific challenges. Through this continued collaboration, MilliporeSigma and Nucleate are helping expose emerging scientists to career pathways beyond traditional academic research while building practical commercial and professional skills that are increasingly critical across the life sciences ecosystem.
Throughout the Fellowship, participants work directly alongside MilliporeSigma sales representatives, shadowing customer meetings and learning firsthand how commercial teams engage researchers, troubleshoot scientific challenges, support product selection, and build long-term relationships across academic institutions.
The inaugural cohort described the Fellowship as a unique opportunity to better understand how scientific sales teams partner with researchers, build professional relationships, and translate scientific expertise into real-world impact.
“For folks with no prior experience in sales or business strategy but a strong interest, this is a perfect program to join,” shared one fellow. Another participant described the Fellowship as “a refreshing look at the intersection of commercial work and research,” noting the opportunity for PhD trainees to better understand how companies engage academic scientists and support research needs. Many fellows reported increased confidence navigating commercial environments, stronger professional networks, and greater interest in customer-facing careers in biotechnology, with several citing the in-person shadowing experience and direct access to MilliporeSigma professionals as among the most meaningful aspects of the Fellowship.
“Many graduate students and trainees are excited by the possibility of careers beyond the bench, but often lack exposure to what those roles actually look like in practice,” said Caroline Steingard, Global Director of Operations at Nucleate. “The Future Leaders Fellowship provides a rare opportunity to learn directly from professionals working at the intersection of science and business — helping trainees build practical commercial skills, explore new career pathways, and see firsthand how scientific expertise can create impact beyond the lab.”
The Fellowship is open to graduate students (Master’s, PhD, MD/PhD) and postdocs across the US and Canada interested in exploring careers in scientific sales, commercial strategy, business development, and other non-traditional life sciences pathways. No prior commercial or sales experience is required.
Fellows selected for the 2026 cohort will participate in the 12-week program (10hr/week) beginning in September 2026 and will receive a stipend of up to $3,600 upon successful completion. Applications are now open and will be accepted through July 31, 2026.
To learn more about the Fellowship, read the job description and apply here.
About Nucleate
Nucleate is a global nonprofit organization building the future of biotechnology by empowering emerging scientific innovators to translate breakthrough discoveries into real-world impact. Through venture creation programs, educational initiatives, and a global network of industry mentorship, Nucleate helps identify, educate, and accelerate promising life sciences technologies at their earliest stages. Since inception, Nucleate has supported hundreds of emerging ventures and thousands of scientific trainees globally, helping founders and future biotech leaders navigate the path from scientific discovery to commercialization. For more information, visit nucleate.org.
About MilliporeSigma
MilliporeSigma is the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, providing scientists and engineers with products, services, and expertise to support research, biotechnology development, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Through its broad portfolio of technologies and scientific solutions, MilliporeSigma helps accelerate innovation and empower researchers working to solve complex scientific challenges. For more information, visit sigmaaldrich.com.
