Same here. Just bought the game and installed Vanilla Expanded collection.
Seems like pawns are able to do research (Intellectual have numeric value on the pawn creation screen), but each and every pawn have no skill (by that I mean "-" sign, not a "0") in animals, medical, mining.

EDIT
Actually, Pawna are able to do those jobs, even if pawn creation screen says they're not. Pawns can be assigned to do jobs, they have skills and passions. Only trouble is that I cannot see them on the creation screen.

I am also having this issue. Very Frustrating.

remove factions expanded tribals and it should fix

check factions expanded tribals, some work now need to be researched before pawns can do it

Check VFE Tribals, that adds a lot of content and between it, research for that kind of stuff, also for other stuff, so yeah, when you land or arrive put down a researching/thinking spot and research those immediately

Yes they are good mods, but maybe you should still read the descriptions? (at least read the tribal faction expanded mod, as it has the biggest bearing over the game's progression, and is the cause of the problems you face, its also more of an oversight than a bug)