I used the zoner destroyer, the shape makes it believable to hold labs and the sensor dishes add to that. But now I've recently used the Order recon cruiser.
Carrier don't make research ships at all I think, they're ment to house fighters and bombers and serve as an away-from-home base, not a science facility.
Bowex actually uses modified Percherons for exploration purposes. Just RP the cargo space as being converted into things like living areas and laboratory space.
If you're trying to stay generic, rather than house influenced, though, I'd consider the Armored Transport or Luxury Yacht, for the same reasons we use Perchs.
After delivering a bunch of artifacts to Manhattan University - I had some cash to spare. So, after this interesting discussion, and some looking around, I made my choice. I've exchanged the Series DL transport for a yacht. Even though I actually prefer the look of the DL in many ways, I think the yacht adds some very interesting unique things:
- Dual CMs
- 100 speed on impulse, 160 on thruster
- Low cargo, high cost - This makes it a less than popular choice among traders, which hopefully will make it an unusual sight in Sirius. The low cargo also signals that the pilot is more interested in role playing than money.
Now, I'm off to play around in my new toy. Omicrons, here I come!