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.