I opened my save file and I cannot place a research office anymore, the icon is red. I had numerous offices when I first started this game but I deleted them to save money while I was building my factory. Now I need them again to further research and marketing and I am unable to place them. I can upload my save game if you tell me where and how
You can only place research and marketing in the green office areas. This was changed in the previous patch not the current one. There is still discussion on what is the best way to handle spamming research offices and zooming through the research tree.