*coffee drinking noises among something like a newpaper that ruffles*
That is kind of the -problem- with Zoners. Being so independent that it's hard to trade or strike a deal with them since they already have everything they need from their own efforts.
Offering assistance with research can be done, similar to offers in charting etc. Yet I am not that sure if it would get their interest.
Phoenix isn't small, they don't let themselves be taken for fools as seen in the Theta centred commotion with the Corsairs. So offering research can work but does not have to, reason is that while we get rarely bothered when out in the field, Phoenix has their own diplomatic situation. Mind I am not familiar with all the nuances as my knowledge only stems from the short time I've spend in Sigma-13 when RGS traded with them there.