For example: I had 295 research effectiveness out of 300 needed for a trait, so I decided to raise the research skill of 3 researchers to get the trait in one go, scince 1 point in research skill should give me 2 job effectiveness. When I looked in "Review staff", it showed that I had over 300 job effectiveness now but when I let a time frame pass, the research for the trait still showed 295. Adding another 3 research skill points had no effect either.
And it is not working only for the research skill as far as I see. Tried raising the job skills in some other departments, namely supply and marketing, and it worked without a problem. Also, raising intelligence for the research department works but I'm not going to do it bevore I get the trait "Natural talent".