But it is not that easy, that was my first try, too.
I guess, that is a savety measure because feebleminded researchers are 2nd in evil overlord's FAIL reasons (right after not shooting the hero when he has the opportunity).
I never tried it without a path. I figured you tried that, but one can never tell. What might work is a 1% path chance using #custommagic <path> AND <1>. Doesn't completely eliminate the path possibility, but you could go a long time before one gets a path. That might allow you to get around whatever safety measures are hidden into the program.
MA Tien Chin has a 5 research point chap with a random which makes me think this might work.
Sadly, that does not get around the no magic = no research rule, only the monks with the 1% pick will get the research ability.
Since there is no obscure other researcher without magic to copy from, it's probably one thing to put on the modders' wishlist ... through I don't see it as very urgend.