I would like to update my last post about the alchemy bug. Although the research tab is missing, upon completion of my third successful experiment, it popped up. Unlike previous experiments, this one requires three successful attempts (three different potions to be made).
I also have no research tab for level 20. I have successfully obtainted 2 research papers and still no tab. This is game breaking as alchemy is required to level blacksmithing and desperately needed for the new campaign as well.