None of these skills are actually required for any research. However, they will all make your BPO operations far easier and quicker, and are very worthwhile training if you intend to do a lot of research.

• Science (1x) - reduces time required to copy a BPO by 5% per level
  • Science is the basic skill in the Science section of the character skills. You don't need this skill to perform blueprint copying. This skill will reduce the time required for blueprint copying by 25% at maximum level. This skill is also the prerequisite for almost all the other skills in the science section.
• Advanced Industry (3x) - reduces all manufacturing and research times by 3% per level
  • You don't need this skill to perform manufacturing or research. This skill will reduce the time required for manufacturing and research by 15% at maximum level. Requires Industry III.
• Research (1x) - reduces time required for Time Efficiency research, by 5% per level
  • You don't need this skill to perform time efficiency research. This skill will reduce the time required for TE research by 25% at maximum level. Requires Science III.
• Metallurgy (3x) - reduces time required for Material Efficiency research, by 5% per level
  • You don't need this skill to perform material efficiency research. This skill will reduce the time required for ME research by 25% at maximum level. Requires Science IV.
• Laboratory Operation (1x) - allows you to perform one additional research or copying job per level
  • Every character starts off with the ability to run a single research or copying job without needing to train this skill. Laboratory Operation gives you an extra research/copying slot for each level trained: if you train it to V, you can run 6 research or copying jobs at once. Requires Science III.
• Advanced Laboratory Operation (8x) - allows you to perform a further additional research or copying job per level
  • Once you have trained Laboratory Operation to V, you can then train this skill to increase still further the number of concurrent research or copying jobs you can perform to a maximum of 11 jobs.
• Scientific Networking (3x) - allows you to start research jobs at range, without needing to be in the same system of the BPO/facility.
  • Requires Laboratory Operation IV. Without training this skill, you can start jobs anywhere in the current system. Each level in this skill gives you the ability to start research jobs an extra 5 jumps away to the maximum of 25 jumps at level V (this may include other regions).

• Cybernetics (3x) - allows the use of implants.
  • Certain skill hardwirings - the Zainou 'Beancounter' range of implants - that boost research & copying speeds are available, for which Cybernetics is required. A dedicated researching character would benefit greatly from one or more of these implants.
• Industry (1x) and Mass Production (2x) - faster manufacturing and multiple manufacturing lines.
  • If your researching character also builds items from the BPOs (or BPCs) then do not neglect the manufacturing skills.