I tried to modify the current research with the combinator but it didn't work.
As a minimal example I used a constant combinator to add a technology as an input into the research automation combinator and checked the "modify research queue" box. However, nothing happens.

Also, the game crashes when I try to read out the research progress.
I would also love to see a blueprint which demonstrates the research control behaviour.

Agreed! I'm loving the ability to read in research progress and sciences, but I have not been able to modify the research queue at all. Would be great if there was a tutorial or blueprint on how to setup automated infinite researches.

I have also been unable to get this to work.

I looked through the code, and the research queue features aren't implemented at all yet. It shouldn't be very hard to add, though.

Yeah, looks like there was some bugs in the latest version. I've got some updates coming today.