Hey there, happy to answer your questions.
1. Research Level won't be worked on for a while its more just there to show our intention to have a system for progression. It will be worked on post steam early access launch. It is tied into the story mode. Familiarity is being worked on now, so it will be live next patch.
2. Yes! That is an environment puzzle, you will need to explore and discover what to do. HINT: explore at night!